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Healthcare
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Association Between Physical Activity and Chronic Condition
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Association Between Physical Activity and Chronic Condition

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 3062

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Rodrigo Daminello Raimundo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Laboratory of Study Design and Scientific Writing, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Centro Universitário FMABC, Santo André 09060-650, SP, Brazil
2. Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
Interests: physical exercise; physical activity; cardiovascular health; aerobic exercise
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior and health is a subject of significant interest due to the substantial impact these factors exert on quality of life and the prevention of chronic diseases. Regular physical activity is widely recognized as one of the pillars of health, as it improves blood circulation, reduces LDL cholesterol levels and increases HDL cholesterol. In addition, physical activity helps control blood pressure and regulate body weight, all of which are essential factors for preventing diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.

Sedentary behavior, defined as extended periods of inactivity, has been associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, irrespective of the individual's level of physical activity. Research has demonstrated that excessive time spent in a seated or inactive state can lead to elevated blood glucose levels, exacerbate insulin resistance, and augment systemic inflammation, all of which are contributing factors to the development of cardiovascular disease. Consequently, the promotion of an active lifestyle and the reduction in sedentary behavior are imperative for the enhancement of cardiovascular health and the mitigation of mortality rates associated with these conditions.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to gather and disseminate innovative research that explores the complex interactions between physical activity and health, and its impact on cardiovascular health. The section will highlight epidemiological, clinical and review studies that deepen our understanding of how different levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviors influence the risk of cardiovascular disease, identifying both the benefits of active habits and the risks associated with prolonged inactivity. In addition, the section will foster the development of evidence-based preventive strategies and interventions, promoting practical recommendations that can be incorporated into public policies and clinical practice, contributing to the promotion of more robust global health.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

  • Physical activity in the hospital environment: adults, adolescents and children.
  • Impact of moderate and intense physical activity on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
  • Evidence on the dose–response relationship between sitting time and cardiovascular health.
  • Sedentary behavior patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors in the elderly.
  • Evaluation of how sedentary time influences cardiac health in older populations.
  • Physical activity-based interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk in office workers.
  • Use of wearable technology to monitor physical activity and prevent cardiovascular disease.
  • Evaluation of the role of devices such as smartwatches and pedometers in promoting more active lifestyles.
  • Sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents: long-term impact on health.
  • Relationship between sedentary behavior and systemic inflammation in cardiovascular diseases.
  • Exploration of the biological mechanisms linking sedentary behavior to chronic inflammation and heart health.
  • The role of sleep, physical activity and sedentary behavior in cardiovascular health.
  • An analysis of how the balance between sleep, physical activity and sedentary time affects cardiovascular risk.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Rodrigo Daminello Raimundo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • physical exercise
  • physical activity
  • cardiovascular health
  • aerobic exercise
  • exercise tolerance
  • exercise therapy
  • post-exercise recovery
  • exercise movement techniques
  • cool-down exercise
  • aquatic therapy
  • exergaming
  • children
  • paediatrics

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3098 KB  
Article
Physical Activity and Bidirectional Stage Transitions in Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome: A Cohort Study
by Chuan Mou, Xinrui Miao and Zhihua Wang
Healthcare 2026, 14(2), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14020244 - 19 Jan 2026
Viewed by 145
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome involves interconnected cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic conditions. The dose–response relationship between physical activity and bidirectional CKM stage transitions remains unclear. Methods: Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), cross-sectional analysis pooled 14,310 observations from 10,868 [...] Read more.
Background: Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome involves interconnected cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic conditions. The dose–response relationship between physical activity and bidirectional CKM stage transitions remains unclear. Methods: Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), cross-sectional analysis pooled 14,310 observations from 10,868 participants. Logistic regression with clustered robust standard errors accounted for intra-individual correlation. Longitudinal analysis (n = 3442) employed continuous-time multi-state Markov models with a 5-state structure (Stages 0–4). To evaluate physical activity effects, stages were regrouped into low-risk (Stages 0–2) and high-risk states (Stages 3–4) using a 2 × 2 transition intensity matrix. Physical activity was measured in MET-min/week and categorized into quartiles (Q1–Q4). Results: Compared with Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 were associated with 43.1%, 52.5%, and 53.1% lower risk of high-risk CKM stages, respectively. RCS analysis demonstrated nonlinear dose–response relationships between physical activity and CKM stage progression. Subgroup analyses showed more pronounced protective effects in older adults and single individuals. During 4-year follow-up, 31.6% experienced progression and 6.8% showed improvement. Stage 4 acted as a complete absorbing state without any reversal. Transition intensity analysis revealed that transitions between adjacent stages were notably higher than cross-stage transitions. The Q4 physical activity level significantly reduced transitions from low-risk to high-risk states (HR = 0.598, 95% CI: 0.459–0.777) and promoted transitions from high-risk to low-risk states (HR = 2.995, 95% CI: 1.257–7.134). Conclusions: Moderate-to-high physical activity effectively reduces CKM progression risk and promotes improvement, providing evidence for CKM prevention and management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association Between Physical Activity and Chronic Condition)
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15 pages, 519 KB  
Article
Therapeutic Exercises During Hospitalization in Oncohematological Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial
by Bruna Cunha de Souza, Cintia Freire Carniel, Juliana Zangirolami-Raimundo and Rodrigo Daminello Raimundo
Healthcare 2025, 13(19), 2526; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13192526 - 6 Oct 2025
Viewed by 845
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Therapeutic exercises during hospitalization may provide important benefits for onco-hematological patients. However, the most effective protocols and outcomes for evaluation remain unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a structured exercise program during hospitalization. Methods: We conducted [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Therapeutic exercises during hospitalization may provide important benefits for onco-hematological patients. However, the most effective protocols and outcomes for evaluation remain unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a structured exercise program during hospitalization. Methods: We conducted a randomized clinical trial with hospitalized onco-hematological patients. The control group performed conventional exercises, while the intervention group received a combined program of aerobic and resistance training. Outcomes included functional capacity, muscle strength, quality of life, and fatigue, assessed at admission and discharge. The sample size was calculated for a moderate effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.50; α = 0.05; power = 80%), yielding a target of 35 participants per group. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance, followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements in dyspnea (p = 0.017) and pain (p = 0.024) compared with the control group. In addition, reductions in insomnia (p = 0.021) and improvements in emotional functioning (p = 0.024) were observed. No significant between-group differences were found for fatigue, muscle strength, or functional capacity. Conclusions: A short-term program of aerobic and resistance exercises was safe and improved pain and dyspnea in hospitalized onco-hematological patients, with additional favorable effects on insomnia and emotional function. However, no significant effects were detected in fatigue, muscle strength, or functional capacity, likely due to the short hospitalization period and limited number of sessions. Future studies should consider longer interventions and post-discharge follow-up to clarify the sustainability of these benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association Between Physical Activity and Chronic Condition)
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12 pages, 840 KB  
Article
Baseline Knee Osteoarthritis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as Predictors of Physical Activity Decline: A Five-Year Longitudinal Study in U.S. Adults Using the Disablement Process Framework
by Saad A. Alhammad and Vishal Vennu
Healthcare 2025, 13(15), 1902; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13151902 - 5 Aug 2025
Viewed by 903
Abstract
Background/Objective: Understanding how chronic conditions such as knee osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) influence long-term physical activity (PA) is essential for developing condition-specific rehabilitation strategies. This study aimed to examine whether baseline diagnoses of knee OA and COPD are independently [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: Understanding how chronic conditions such as knee osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) influence long-term physical activity (PA) is essential for developing condition-specific rehabilitation strategies. This study aimed to examine whether baseline diagnoses of knee OA and COPD are independently associated with the trajectories of PA decline over five years in U.S. adults, informed by the disablement process model. Methods: We analyzed data from 855 adults aged ≥45 years enrolled in the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI). The participants were categorized into three baseline groups, control (n = 122), knee OA (n = 646), and COPD (n = 87), based on self-reports and prior clinical assessments. PA was measured annually for five years using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). General linear mixed models assessed changes in PA over time, adjusting for demographic, behavioral, and clinical covariates. Results: Compared to the controls, participants with knee OA had a significant decline in PA over time (β = −6.62; 95% CI: −15.4 to −2.19; p = 0.014). Those with COPD experienced an even greater decline compared to the knee OA group (β = −11.2; 95% CI: −21.7 to −0.67; p = 0.037). These associations persisted after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, and smoking. Conclusions: Baseline knee OA and COPD were independently associated with long-term reductions in PA. These findings underscore the importance of early, tailored rehabilitation strategies, particularly pulmonary rehabilitation, in preserving functional independence among older adults with chronic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association Between Physical Activity and Chronic Condition)
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13 pages, 898 KB  
Article
Does Knowledge About Physical Activity Translate into More Active Populations?
by Roger O’Sullivan, Aideen Sheehan, Ruth D. Neill and Toby Finch
Healthcare 2025, 13(12), 1393; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13121393 - 11 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 715
Abstract
Background: Physical activity has a number of benefits; however, the consequences of inactivity can have a negative impact on individuals and health and social care services. Increasing knowledge can play an important role in helping sustain behaviours that can lead to health benefits, [...] Read more.
Background: Physical activity has a number of benefits; however, the consequences of inactivity can have a negative impact on individuals and health and social care services. Increasing knowledge can play an important role in helping sustain behaviours that can lead to health benefits, reduce barriers and increase participation in physical activity while having a greater impact on public health policy. The aim of this study is to explore knowledge about physical activity benefits, levels of activity, awareness of risks of inactivity, sources of information about the benefits and the relationship between knowledge about physical activity recommendations and activity levels. Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving adults over 18 years old in Northern Ireland (weighted sample n = 2201) and Ireland (weighted sample n = 1279) was commissioned by the Institute of Public Health in 2021 to explore knowledge about health benefits and the association between knowledge and physical activity levels. Descriptive statistics in percentages were used to demonstrate the findings, while chi square tests of independence were used to examine if a significant relationship between activity and knowledge existed. Results: Only 4 out of 10 respondents knew the recommendations of at least 150 min weekly of physical activity. A chi square test of independence showed that the relationship between knowledge about recommendations and activity was significant (χ2(1, n = 3506) = 20.25, p < 0.001, not weighted). There was a sex difference in the association of knowledge about the recommended guidelines and activity levels. Women were more knowledgeable about many of the health benefits of physical activity but were less active than men. Conclusions: Overall, getting the adult population more active remains a challenge in public health promotion; however, knowledge alone does not equate to action. Therefore, it is essential to understand and address the range of challenges to increasing physical activity to ensure the needs of the whole population are met. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association Between Physical Activity and Chronic Condition)
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