Table 1.
Summary of studies characteristics and findings on the benefits of physical activity.
| Study | Study Design | Settings | Sample Size | Mean Age of Participants | Exercise Program | Key Findings. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sealy-Jefferson et al.29 | Retrospective, Prospective Cohort Study | Baltimore, Maryland | 832 | 23 years old | Walking for a purpose or stair climbing for 30 min daily | The rate of preterm delivery (PTD) was 16.7%. A marked decrease in the prevalence of PTD in women who walked for a purpose for more than 30 min. |
| Joseph et al.30 | Intervention study | Arizona State University, USA | 15 | 19–30 years | A 3-month 30–60 min moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity | BMI significantly decreased over the study period (p = 0.034), reflected by a marginal decrease in body weight (p = 0.057). Bone marrow density significantly increased over the 3-month study (p = 0.011), but cortical density remained stable (p = 0.211). Marginal significant increase in muscle density (p = 0.053). |
| Ingram et al.31 | Qualitative Exploratory design | Chicago, USA | 51 | Mean Age = 54 years | A 12-month (6 months adoption, 6 months maintenance) Walking Intervention | Weight loss, Improved body shape, Stress reduction, Avoiding diabetes, Controlling the blood pressure. |
| Gradidge et al.32 | Randomized Controlled Trial | University of Venda, Limpopo province, South Africa. |
115 | ≥18 years | 12-week walking intervention | BMI, waist circumference, and blood pressure were significantly reduced. |
| Hornbuckle et al.33 | Randomized controlled study | Florida State University, USA | 44 | 39–61 years | Lifestyle walking program combined with resistance training for 12 weeks. | Significant reduction in waist circumference, total fat mass, gynoid fat mass, and percent total body fat. Significant decrease in HbA1c and mean blood glucose calculated from HbA1c. Significant increase in fibrinogen level |
| Hornbuckle et al.34 | Randomized controlled (Pilot Intervention) study | Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA | 27 | 20–40 years | 16-week high-intensity interval training (treadmill exercise involving walking and running) | A significant decrease in waist circumference, which is an important cardiometabolic risk factor. A significant time effect for steps where HIIT increased steps/day |
| Wharton et al.35 | Phase 1 Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials | Atlanta, Georgia | 34 | 45+ years/ (59.7 ± 8.13) years | 20 classes of a 12 week Adapted Tango dance session which lasted 1.5 h long | Notable reduction in inflammatory cytokines, including IL-7, TNF-, IFN-y, and MCP-1. Improved cognition, strength, and balance in participants. |
| Sheppard et al.36 | Case-control study | Washington, DC metro area | N/A | 52.42–57.63 years | Walking for exercise and vigorous physical activity (running, aerobics, etc.) | 2 h/week of vigorous physical activity was found to be protective against breast cancer in postmenopausal women. A 64% reduction in risk of breast cancer. |
| Mendham et al.37 | Randomized control trial | N/A | 45 | 20–35 years | 12-weeks, 4 days per week, 40–60 min aerobic and resistance training (dancing, running, skipping, and stepping at a moderate-vigorous intensity, 75%–80% peak heart rate) | A small but considerable reduction in body mass index and increased oxygen consumption The increased mitochondrial function associated with a decrease in body fat, Improved SI with reduced gynoid fat. |
| Evans.38 | Qualitative (Ethnographic) study | Southern rural county | 20 | 40–60 years | N/A | The majority of women believe that exercise keeps blood flow to the heart and makes the heart strong. |
| Mathunjwa et al.39 | Prospective Experimental Study | University of Zululand, South Africa | 60 | Mean Age = (25 ± 5) years | A 10-week exercise program of 30 sessions of Tae-bo, 60 min per day for 3 days a week, moderate intensity for the first five weeks and high intensity for the last five weeks. | Effective reduction in risk factors associated with cardiometabolic disease in the students that are obese or overweight. Improvement in BMI, weight, waist circumference, resting heart rate and resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure, LDL-C, HDL-C, and total cholesterol |
| Fortuin-de Smidt et al.40 | Randomised controlled trial | Cape Town, South Africa | 45 | 20–35 years | 12-weeks of aerobic and resistance training exercises | Improved Cardiorespiratory fitness, total AUC of glucose, and Insulin sensitivity. A small reduction in body weight and gynoid fat. |
| Clamp et al.41 | Randomized Controlled study | Western Cape, South Africa | 35 | 20–35 years | A 12-week exercise session which includes aerobic and resistance training at a vigorous intensity (> 75% peak heart rate, HRmax) advancing from 40 to 60 min per day for 4 day in a week | Relative reduction in gynoid fat mass in response to a 12-week combined aerobic and resistant exercise. There were also improved CRF with higher fat oxidation rate and lower resting carbohydrate oxidation rates in steady-state and baseline respectively. |
aBMI: Body Mass Index; HbA1c: Glycosylated Hemoglobin; SI: Insulin Sensitivity; LDL-C: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol; HIIT: High Intensity Interval Training; IL-7: Interleukin-7; TNF: Tumor Necrotic Factor; IFN: Interferon; LDL: Low Density Lipoprotein; AUC: Area under curve, HR: Heart Rate; MCP-1: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; CRF: Cardiorespiratory Fitness.