A moderate approach to promoting physical activity: the evidence and implications

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For example, subjects defined as physically inactive or non-exercisers who are observed to die earlier may have avoided activity because of an existing, undiagnosed/sub-clinical illness, such as depression. Similarly, the active/exercising/fit subjects may have been more physically active because they were healthier from the outset. In addition, exercisers are more likely to adopt other forms of health-promoting behaviour and this may reduce their risk of heart disease and other illnesses rather than, or as well as, regular exercise.

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