The health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity have become the main concern for health professionals, clinicians and scientists in the 21st century. This book presents readers with a comprehensive examination of the most recent scientific evidence explaining the deteriorating health consequences of sedentary behaviour and physical inactivity across the human lifespan. It also provides novel and effective intervention strategies, primarily those based on physical activity in order to reverse and reduce these health risks, particularly risks related to the metabolism and cardiovascular disease. Empirical research findings and innovative scientific models for physical activity and exercise interventions are presented throughout the book based on well-designed research studies by leading authors and practitioners. Readers can also benefit from both scientific and practical recommendations for prescribing physical activity and exercise to address the health risks associated with: sedentary lifestyle and potential benefits for diabetes, epicardial adipose tissues, muscle and joint function mechanics, metabolic and cardiovascular risk prevention. The book also highlights the latest age- and population-specific recommendations for screening and planning effective physical activity, as well as exercise interventions for children, adolescents, older adults and other sedentary individual groups such as sedentary workplace employees and individuals with diabetes. Health benefits are discussed at different complexities of the human body. Nine chapters within this book cover the health risks and adaptive responses to physical activity and exercise at the molecular, cellular, muscular, adipose tissue, metabolic, cardiovascular, and multi-compartment levels of the human body. The book offers excellent scientific insight and practical recommendations for readers across the globe.

Understanding the human body's ability to metabolise carbohydrate and fat during exercise is crucial in enhancing sports performance and controlling lifestyle diseases such as obesity epidemic and type- 2 diabetes. The role of lactate and its measurement in exercise testing and prescription is equally important. This book is the first to jointly explain the metabolic responses of lactate, carbohydrate and fat utilisation by employing an interrelationship linking the measurements of indirect calorimetry with blood lactate concentration. Whether and how this interrelationship is affected by variations in exercise duration, mode and intensity has been investigated. Novel findings presented the evidence for the most appropriate protocol for jointly describing lactate, carbohydrate and fat utilisation during incremental exercise testing. The book presents a bridge between exercise physiology and biochemistry and provides a new approach in exercise testing. The book offers an exciting read for sport and exercise scientists, research students, and any sports, health and clinical practitioner.