Exercise Benefits Chronic Disease Patients, Aerobic Activity Shows Clearest Impact
A meta-analysis of 48 studies, published in *Scientific Reports*, examined the impact of physical activity on health indicators in individuals with or at risk of chronic diseases. The research, conducted by scientists from various Chinese universities, found that physical activity significantly improved several health indicators, particularly for people with hypertension and diabetes. Specific improvements were noted in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max). While aerobic exercise showed the clearest benefit in the primary analysis, no single exercise modality (aerobic, resistance, or combined) was definitively proven superior. The study did not establish significant effects on cardiovascular disease, BMI, or mental health scores across all analyzed data. The findings also indicated that evidence of benefit was strongest in Asia, North America, and Europe, with inconclusive results for other regions due to limited data.
