The Global strategy on diet, physical activity and health of the World Health Organization, ratified during the General Assembly in May 2004, emphasized the fact that physical inactivity is one major public health problem in countries both developed and developing. Physical activity reduces the risk of many illnesses and chronic conditions, is associated with low morbidity and mortality and improves the functional status and quality of life. In order to contribute to this global strategy creates the physical activity of the Americas (RAFA) network / The Physical Activity Network of the Americas (PANA), to build a "network of networks" that integrates members of public and private institutions both national and international, to promote health and quality of life through physical activity. RAFA/PANA work with members to develop, share and coordinate strategies that strengthen efforts and increase knowledge, benefits and levels of physical activity among the populations in the Americas. In this sense have been developed programs focused on physical activity as a basis for the improvement of the quality of life, such as the case of "Wave San Pablo" and other similar programs in countries of America. In Argentina were diverse experiences in communities, as for example in Balcarce province of Buenos Aires, promoted by the program of prevention of infarct in the (own) Argentina, dependent of the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad Nacional de La Plata. At the local level, we are currently developing in the center of physical education N ° 2de the city of La Plata, the programme "Quality of life", taking systematic physical activity and preventive check-ups, as cornerstones for the modification of lifestyle and the fight against the disease risk factors.
On the other hand the exponential growth, in our environment, of the factors related to the care of the health and quality of life of the population and their promotion through the mass media also encouraged by economic and commercial factors: companies of nutrition, clothing, health, fitness, etc. have contributed to the growing awareness of the importance of physical activity. So both at a personal and institutional level is installed the theme and there is a progressive increase in the space it occupies. Some companies encourage the systematic realization of physical activity of their employees and promote participation in sporting or recreational events on behalf of the same, there is sustained growth of mass events such as racing aerobic and mega events of outdoor fitness, sponsored by municipalities or organised by sports apparel companies. Where previously only seen "training" competitive athletes (sports facilities, promenades, squares, parks), today can be observed the growing participation of common people of all ages who have decided to change their style of life, incorporating physical activity as a habit.
It also changed the attitude of the professionals of health with respect to physical activity; an amount growing of any specialty physicians, even not related directly, they practice and recommend or prescribe physical activity to their patients.
But despite this progress, there is a great battle to wage against the sedentary lifestyle, obesity and other non-communicable diseases, whose increasing prevalence is favored by various socio-cultural and economic factors, lack of nutrition education and physical culture, the unfair fight against the computer, television, and video games used especially by children and certain ingrained habits that reduce the quality of life of the people.
The systematic and controlled realization of physical activity, moderate and individually adapted to the structural and functional capacities of persons, not only contributes to the fight against the epidemic of overweight and obesity; It brings a number of benefits, according to several studies, among which we can mention:
-An increase in the sense of physical and psychological well-being
-A better perception of body image
-An improvement of the conditions of dream
-An elevation of cardiorespiratory fitness with greater tolerance to effort and reduced levels of fatigue
-Improvement of the levels of muscular strength
-An improvement in the levels of flexibility and mobility to articulate
-One body availability for motor tasks of daily living, work or sports activities
-A change in the shape and body composition with decreased fat and increased lean mass
-A positive change in the metabolic conditions
-Improvement of immune function.
-The acquisition of a healthy skeleton in young and the postponement of the loss of bone mass in older adults.
-The postponement of sarcopenia (physiological loss of muscle mass in older people)
-Discharge of environmental or occupational stress levels
-A lower incidence of labor absenteeism by disease and a reduction of costs and health services utilization
-The contribution together with other factors to longevity with quality of life.
In people with any pathology physical activity also contributes, according to different studies, in the following aspects:
-Improvement of blood pressure
-Reduction of the sensitivity to Catecholamines myocardial
-Increase of fibrinolysis and alteration of platelet function (minor thrombogenesis)
-Resistance decrease in insulin and glucose intolerance
-Increase bone mineral density
-Improvement of hepatic function
-Correction or improvement of the lipid profile
-Improvement of chronic respiratory disorders
-Improvement of sleep disorders
-Improvement of emotional disorders
These are just a few of the reasons that must commit to people, health professionals and private and governmental institutions
to promote physical activity in the community, since childhood.
Some of the aspects to take into account for the implementation of physical activity programs in a community are:
-Plan and inform the program
-Engage the participants and promote adherence
-Focus the evaluation
-Collect irrefutable evidence
-Exchange information