International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391 Volume 6 Issue 10, October 2017 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Exercise and Chronic Diseases Oloo Micky Olutende(B.Sc.) 1 , Issah W. Kweyu (M.SC.) 2 , Edna Sabiri (B.Sc.) 3 1, 2, 3 Dept. of Health Promotion and Sport Science, School of Public Health, Biomedical Sciences and laboratory Technology. Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega, Kenya Abstract: Physical inactivity(PA) is fourth on the list of leading causes of deaths worldwide. An increased level of PA and exercise will not only reduce the risk for developing various chronic diseases, but also have a positive influence on morbidity and mortality resulting from these chronic diseases. While overwhelming success have been achieved in disease control through environmental interventions such as vaccinations and improved hygiene to increase life expectancy, many authorities in the field of preventative healthcare are of the opinion that too little has been done to target behavioral factors, particularly physical inactivity. PA promotion is one of the first treatment and management recommendations in a large number of ever-increasing evidence based clinical guidelines for many chronic conditions. Keywords: Exercise, chronic diseases prevention, health promotion, primary and secondary prevention, exercise is medicine 1. Introduction The negative health effects of physical inactivity are well documented, the economic consequences are often neglected. As the population ages, chronic illnesses have become a common occurrence, putting pressure on the sustainability of healthcare systems as chronic diseases account for most of global healthcare expense (Huber et al., 2011). Physical inactivity was directly responsible for 3% of disability adjusted life years lost in the United Kingdom in 2002, with estimated direct costs to the National Health Service of £1.06 billion (Allender, Foster, Scarborough et al., 2007). In America, the annual cost directly attributable to inactivity is an estimated $24 billion–$76 billion (2.4%– 5.0% of national healthcare expenditures) (Roux, Pratt, Tengs et al., 2008). In Canada, it is estimated that even modest reductions in inactivity levels could result in substantial cost savings. A 10% reduction in the prevalence of physical inactivity has the potential to reduce direct health care expenditures by $150 million a year (Katzmarzyk et al., 2000). Over the past few decades, extensive knowledge has been accumulated relating to the significant contribution of PA in the prevention and treatment of a number of diseases (Chakravarthy et al., 2002; Leijon, Bendtsen, Nilsen et al., 2008), especially noncommunicable chronic diseases. A linear relationship exists between PA levels and overall health status (Sallis, 2009), evidenced by the strong links between increased levels of PA and aerobic fitness with a reduction in the risk for developing various chronic diseases, as well as the morbidity and mortality resulting from these chronic diseases (Oberg, 2007; Pedersen and Saltin, 2006). Increasing PA is now considered to be as important as tobacco control in lessening the burden of non- communicable diseases (Bauman et al., 2006; WHO, 2014). Conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cancer are drastically improved when PA and exercise are part of a medical management plan. Exercise provides many primary prevention health benefits, exercise also provides similar benefits in secondary disease prevention. When PA and exercise are initiated after a chronic disease is diagnosed, many of the harmful disease effects are ameliorated and in some cases (e.g., type 2 diabetes) the disease progression is slowed or halted (Sigal, 2006) exercise when used as part of the medical management plan for secondary disease prevention will almost always improve the quality of life and potentially extend the life of a disease individual (Durstine, 2000).In this regard, the benefits of PA and exercise depend on the type, severity, and comorbidities of the disease. 2. Methods A comprehensive literature search was carried out for in the Pubmed, Crossref ,Genamics Journal Seek ,Global impact factor.com , Google Scholar , Academic keys, Open Academic Journals Index, Sherpa/RoMEO (University of Nottingham), Chemical Abstracts (CAS), Open-j-Gate ,Cochrane Library and MEDLINE databases (search descriptors: exercise therapy, training, physical fitness, physical activity, rehabilitation ,exercise is medicine; Chronic disease; Primary prevention; Secondary prevention). In addition, we sought literature by examining reference lists in original articles and reviews. 3. Exercise and Diabetes The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and pre-diabetic conditions such as impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance are rapidly on the rise (Hordern, Dunstan, Prins et al., 2012). An estimated one million deaths which occurred during 2002 could be attributed to diabetes (LaMonte, Blair and Church, 2005). In 2009, it was estimated that the world prevalence of diabetes among adults (aged 20– 79 years) will be 6.4%, affecting 285 million adults in 2010 and will increase to 7.7% (439 million adults) by 2030 (Shaw, Sicree, and Zimmet, 2010). These figures were revised and a 69% increase in numbers of adults with diabetes in developing countries and a 20% increase in developed countries were postulated for the time period from 2011 to 2030 (Whiting, Guariguata, Weil et al., 2011). A sedentary lifestyle is directly associated with the development of T2DM (Blair, 1989; Kokkinos and Myers, 2010), while moderate to vigorous PA can reduce onset rates of diabetes by between 6%-48% (Bassuk and Manson, 2005; Helmrich, Ragland, Leung et al., 1991; Sieverdes, Sui, Lee et al., 2010). Exercise plays a leading role in the prevention and control of insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, gestational diabetes mellitus, T2DM, and diabetes-related health Paper ID: ART20177057 DOI: 10.21275/ART20177057 588