Zenodo · Jan 31, 2026
Physical activity as a systemic regulator of human health: a medico-biological review of selected physiological and clinical aspects
By Yuriev V
This article presents a comprehensive medico-biological review of human physical activity as a systemic regulator of health. The paper synthesizes data from contemporary reviews, meta-analyses, and large cohort studies addressing the physiological, metabolic, and hemodynamic effects of regular physical activity. Special attention is given to walking as a fundamental form of cyclic motor behavior, the role of skeletal muscle mass and the skeletal muscle pump in circulation, and the adverse consequences of hypokinesia. The review discusses physical activity as a key non-pharmacological factor in the prevention of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and functional aging. Particular emphasis is placed on gait characteristics as clinically relevant indicators of biological age, functional status, and life expectancy. The work is intended for researchers, clinicians, and specialists in preventive medicine, physiology, and public health. Keywords: physical activity, exercise, hypokinesia, skeletal muscle mass, walking, skeletal muscle pump, metabolic syndrome, gait, quality of life.