Physical activity and training prescription

Abstract

Obesity is a widespread public health problem for health. A better understanding of exercise prescription can be helpful for the development of effective interventions for the treatment of excessive body weight and the prevention of health-related diseases in adults. Physical activity in terms of structured exercise is associated with prevention of weight gain, long-term weight loss, and health benefits, if prescribed in an adequate duration and intensity. Moderately vigorous physical activity of 150–250 min a week with an energy equivalent of about 1,200–2,000 kcal per week may be enough to prevent a weight gain greater than 3 % in most adults. However, it is clear that physical activity combined with dietary energy restrictions is more effective to prevent weight gain and promote weight loss in overweight and obese adults. Given that adults in excess of body weight are more prone to drop out from a physical activity program in comparison with their normal-weight peers, interventions that may lead them to feel better and improve adherence, such as self-paced protocols, should be taken into consideration by health professionals.