Bolstering Health Outcomes by Emerging From the Least Fit Population Cohort: The Impact of Exercise Training Intensities > 3 Metabolic Equivalents

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2025

Publication Title

Heart and Mind

Abstract

Most middle‑aged and older adults with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD) generally initiate exercise programs of light intensity, usually ≤ 3 metabolic equivalents (METs: 1 MET = 3.5 mLO2 /kg/min). Although this is a prudent approach, a progressive increase in exercise intensity to moderate and even vigorous activity intensities (> 6.0 METs) may be recommended to maximize health benefits, depending on age and sex. Failure to progressively increase the exercise intensity is often the case in this population.[1] Consequently, the least‑active individuals with relatively low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), that is consistently associated with the poorest prognosis, may not advance to higher CRF levels associated with substantially more favorable health outcomes. Several lines of evidence support the benefits for uptitrating the exercise intensity over time to achieve the minimum level of CRF and training intensity associated with more favorable health outcomes and survival. These studies are briefly summarized below and have significant implications for the counseling of novice exercisers embarking on exercise programs.

Volume

9

Issue

4

First Page

285

Last Page

289

DOI

10.4103/hm.HM-D-25-00038

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