Translation of the Scientific Body of Knowledge to Formulate the Physical Activity Guidelines

This presentation will highlight the strategies employed by the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee (PAGAC) to interpret the broad scope of epidemiologic and laboratory research used to develop the Guidelines. The health topics reviewed by the PAGAC included: all cause mortality, cardiorespiratory health, musculoskeletal health, metabolic health, energy balance and weight maintenance, cancer, functional health, and mental health. There was also a focus on specific populations including youth, older adults, and understudied populations. The PAGAC was charged with answering a series of questions on these topics to provide the framework for translating the science leading to specific activity recommendations. Selected questions were: What is the nature and strength of the science relating physical activity to key outcomes? What is the dose-response relationship between physical activity and key outcomes? Is the relationship between physical activity and key outcome modified by age, sex, and race/ethnicity? How does sedentary behavior affect risk? To arrive at consensus for translation purposes, the science was critically reviewed. The types and amount of evidence for each outcome, the strength of the evidence, and the specific characteristics of physical activity behavior that likely produce healthy outcomes were highlighted. An example of this process will be provided describing how the science on physical activity and all-cause mortality was reviewed, interpreted and translated to specific physical activity recommendations.