Abstract des Autors

In this literature survey an outline is given on the primary-preventive- and tertiary-preventive health effects of physical activity for individuals with a chronic disease. Based on the literature it has been accepted that physical activity has a preventive effect on the occurence of several chronic diseases, especially diabetes mellitus type II, coronary heart diseases, osteoporosis and also on overweight as a risk factor for several chronic diseases. There are signs that physical activity and sports may have a preventive effect on the occurence of cerebrovasular accident, colon cancer, depression, hypertension and back pain. Based on the literature it has been accepted that physical activitiy can have a positive influence on the progression of coronary heart diseases, diabetes mellitus type II and overweight. Physical activity may also have a positive effect on the progression of arthritis, asthma, back pain, cerebrovascular accident, coronary heart disease, cystic fibrosis, depression, diabetes mellitus type II, epilepsy, overweight, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Because of the high prevalence of chronic diseases in the population and the potential health benefits of physical activity and sports, the stimulation of physical activity and sports seems an important tool to increase the health of people with a chronic disease. Verf.-Referat