Editing Exercise (section)

=== Cardiovascular system ===
{{Main|Cardiovascular fitness}}
[[File:Central (cardiovascular) and peripheral (skeletal muscle) adaptations to exercise training.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Central (cardiovascular) and peripheral (skeletal muscle) adaptations to exercise training]]
The beneficial effect of exercise on the cardiovascular system is well documented. There is a direct correlation between physical inactivity and cardiovascular disease, and physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for the development of [[coronary artery disease]]. Low levels of physical exercise increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases mortality.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Warburton DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS | title = Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence | journal = CMAJ | volume = 174 | issue = 6 | pages = 801–809 | date = March 2006 | pmid = 16534088 | pmc = 1402378 | doi = 10.1503/cmaj.051351 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name="aha2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/PhysicalActivity/FitnessBasics/American-Heart-Association-Recommendations-for-Physical-Activity-in-Adults_UCM_307976_Article.jsp|title=American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults|publisher=American Heart Association|date=14 December 2017|access-date=5 May 2018}}</ref>

Children who participate in physical exercise experience greater loss of body fat and increased cardiovascular fitness.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lumeng JC | title = Small-group physical education classes result in important health benefits | journal = The Journal of Pediatrics | volume = 148 | issue = 3 | pages = 418–419 | date = March 2006 | pmid = 17243298 | doi = 10.1016/j.jpeds.2006.02.025 }}</ref> Studies have shown that academic stress in youth increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in later years; however, these risks can be greatly decreased with regular physical exercise.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ahaneku JE, Nwosu CM, Ahaneku GI | title = Academic stress and cardiovascular health | journal = Academic Medicine | volume = 75 | issue = 6 | pages = 567–568 | date = June 2000 | pmid = 10875499 | doi = 10.1097/00001888-200006000-00002 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

There is a dose-response relationship between the amount of exercise performed from approximately {{nowrap|700–2000}}&nbsp;[[kcal]] of energy expenditure per week and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality in middle-aged and elderly men. The greatest potential for reduced mortality is seen in sedentary individuals who become moderately active.

Studies have shown that since heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, regular exercise in aging women leads to healthier cardiovascular profiles.

The most beneficial effects of physical activity on cardiovascular disease mortality can be attained through moderate-intensity activity (40–60% of maximal oxygen uptake, depending on age). After a myocardial infarction, survivors who changed their lifestyle to include regular exercise had higher survival rates. Sedentary people are most at risk for mortality from cardiovascular and all other causes.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Fletcher GF, Balady G, Blair SN, Blumenthal J, Caspersen C, Chaitman B, Epstein S, Sivarajan Froelicher ES, Froelicher VF, Pina IL, Pollock ML | display-authors = 6 | title = Statement on exercise: benefits and recommendations for physical activity programs for all Americans. A statement for health professionals by the Committee on Exercise and Cardiac Rehabilitation of the Council on Clinical Cardiology, American Heart Association | journal = Circulation | volume = 94 | issue = 4 | pages = 857–862 | date = August 1996 | pmid = 8772712 | doi = 10.1161/01.CIR.94.4.857 | s2cid = 2392781 }}</ref> According to the [[American Heart Association]], exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke.<ref name=aha2017 />

Some have suggested that increases in physical exercise might decrease healthcare costs, increase the rate of job attendance, as well as increase the amount of effort women put into their jobs.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Reed JL, Prince SA, Cole CA, Fodor JG, Hiremath S, Mullen KA, Tulloch HE, Wright E, Reid RD | display-authors = 6 | title = Workplace physical activity interventions and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity levels among working-age women: a systematic review protocol | journal = Systematic Reviews | volume = 3 | issue = 1 | pages = 147 | date = December 2014 | pmid = 25526769 | pmc = 4290810 | doi = 10.1186/2046-4053-3-147 | doi-access = free }}</ref>