Physical inactivity is the 4th highest attributable risk of death in the USA, and, when combined with its associated effect of overweight-obesity, it becomes the 2nd highest risk of death, just behind cigarette smoking. Moreover, five out of the six highest risk factors for death are favorably modified by increased physical activity. Despite this strong relationship to disease mortality, up to 78% of the population still does not exercise regularly. In spite of accumulating evidence that increased physical activity can slow or reduce the risk of developing many chronic conditions, the potential effects of exercise therapy are not sufficiently explored. Further research is needed to make specific recommendations for the optimal type or amount of exercise needed for disease prevention. Nevertheless, the average exercise dose in randomized controlled exercise intervention studies is below that recommended by professional organizations. Thus, the impact of physical activity on disease prevention may be underestimated in many previous investigations.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles, as well as review articles, which stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the role of physical activity in the prevention or treatment of diseases influenced by primary or secondary aging. Disorders that may not be prevented through increased physical activity but have clinical symptoms that can be slowed by exercise interventions, such as neuromuscular disease or movement disorders, and cognitive dysfunction would also be of interest. We are particularly interested in the application of physical activity to those diseases or risk factors that have the highest impact on public health. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Recent developments in the role of physical activity as an intervention for risk of cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and metabolic disease or cognitive dysfunction
• Physical activity as an intervention for slowing the progression of clinical symptoms of neuromuscular disease or movement disorders
• Advances in the role of genomics in influencing the effects of physical activity on health or disease outcomes
• Comparative studies of pharmacological agents and exercise interventions for prevention and/or treatment of disease
• Comparative studies of various exercise modalities as interventions for disease prevention
• Role of physical activity in the cell signaling of pathways known to promote or inhibit disease processes

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