Mixed
Regular exercise acts as a pharmacological agent that promotes health and longevity, but its efficacy and safety depend strictly on proper dosing (volume, intensity, frequency) and individual patient status.
Treat exercise like a prescription drug: consistency and correct dosage matter more than intensity. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week. If you are sedentary, start with a lower dose (e.g., 15 minutes daily) and gradually increase. Avoid extreme exhaustion if you are untrained, and do not rely on antioxidant supplements to enhance exercise benefits, as they may block the body's natural adaptation mechanisms.
Our general conclusion is that exercise is so effective that it should be considered as a drug, but that more attention should be paid to the dosing and to individual variations between patients.
Why this rating
The paper is a comprehensive review citing numerous observational and randomized trials, though it acknowledges gaps in precise dosing data.
Source
Exercise acts as a drug; the pharmacological benefits of exercise
José Viña et al. · British Journal of Pharmacology · 2012
DOI 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.01970.x
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