Skip to page content

Physical Exercise

Featured

Report
A More Physically Active Population Could Increase GDP by Billions
Exercise affects workplace performance, longevity, and the economy. If people walked just an extra 15 minutes each day, the world economy could grow by about $100 billion a year. Gains are attributed to improved productivity and reduced mortality rates, sick leave, and health care costs.
Nov 5, 2019
Commentary
Inequitable Marine Corps Body Composition Policies and Their Effect on Health
The Marine Corps Body Composition and Military Appearance Program is potentially harming Marines. The Marine Corps should consider pausing the policy while it further examines its effects on individual health and considers developing a new health-focused policy that includes requirements designed to reflect the diversity of the force.
Mar 25, 2022

Explore Physical Exercise

Journal Article
Modifying Text Messages from a Faith-Based Physical Activity Intervention with Latino Adults in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
The purpose of this article is to describe how we developed and implemented a physical activity text messaging component within a faith-based intervention.
Feb 3, 2023
Report
Is Today's U.S. Air Force Fit? It Depends on How Fitness Is Measured
In this report, the authors examine metrics used to monitor the fitness of airmen, and through their analyses of fitness data, they make a case for using multiple measures to gain a more accurate assessment of the health and fitness of the force.
May 2, 2022
Report
Physical Fitness Standards to Support Readiness and Deployability: An Examination of Department of the Air Force Policies and Culture
Through analyses involving the Air Force's Tier 1 fitness assessment (FA), the authors examine whether FA components meet their intended purpose to minimize health risks and maximize readiness of airmen.
May 2, 2022
Report
Impacts of Marine Corps Body Composition and Military Appearance Program (BCMAP) Standards on Individual Outcomes and Talent Management
Researchers examine how the U.S. Marine Corps' Body Composition and Military Appearance Program and its associated policies drive individual behavior -- namely those related to disordered eating -- of marines and specifically of women and people of color.
Mar 28, 2022
News Release
More Evidence Needed to Support Performance Goals of Current Army Combat Fitness Test; Women, Other Groups Pass the ...
As the U.S. Army rolls out its Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), more evidence is needed to prove that all six test events adequately predict performance on combat tasks or reduce injury risks and that combat task performance is a necessary metric for all Army jobs.
Mar 23, 2022
Report
Evidence to Support New Army Combat Fitness Test Is Incomplete
The U.S. Army has a new fitness test for the first time in 40 years. A review finds that more evidence is needed to prove that all six test events adequately predict performance on combat tasks and that combat standards are a necessary metric for all Army jobs. Women, National Guard troops, and others are passing the test at lower rates.
Mar 23, 2022
Journal Article
Movement Behaviors Associated with Mental Health Among US Military Service Members
We analyzed data from active component service members in the 2018 Health Related Behaviors Survey. Findings can help inform behavior change interventions to improve psychological fitness and military readiness.
Nov 30, 2021
Journal Article
Effects of Park-Based Interventions on Health-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Using adapted methods from the Community Guide, a systematic review (search period through September 2019) was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of park-based interventions among adults.
Apr 28, 2021
Report
A Review of the Air Force Fitness Assessment
This report presents an overview of research relevant to U.S. Air Force fitness assessment components to ensure readiness of personnel, support the National Defense Strategy, and promote a culture of health and well-being across the U.S. Air Force.
Apr 6, 2021
Journal Article
Improved Street Walkability, Incivilities, and Esthetics Are Associated with Greater Park Use in Two Low-Income Neighborhoods
Improved walkability, incivilities, and aesthetics surrounding parks in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods were associated with greater park use and may help increase visits to underutilized parks.
Dec 3, 2020
Journal Article
Estimating the Global Economic Benefits of Physically Active Populations Over 30 Years (2020–2050)
We assess the potential benefits of increased physical activity for the global economy for 23 countries and the rest of the world from 2020 to 2050. The main factors taken into account in the economic assessment are excess mortality and lower productivity.
Dec 1, 2020
Commentary
California Could Develop Guidance to Reopen Youth Sports
There is growing evidence that long-term isolation from school closures has negative impacts on kids' physical and mental health and social development, with impacts potentially lasting for years. Youth sports can help to offset many of these negative impacts. California public health officials could prioritize the development of guidelines that would allow youth sports to reopen safely.
Jul 22, 2020
Journal Article
The Mediating Role of Perceived Crime in Gender and Built Environment Associations with Park Use and Park-Based Physical Activity Among Park Users in High Poverty Neighborhoods
This study conducted mediation analyses to examine the effects of gender and presence of park walking path on park use, participation in park programs, and park-based physical activity through the hypothesized mediator (perception of crime).
Apr 30, 2020
Report
Physical Task Simulations: Performance Measures for the Validation of Physical Tests and Standards for Battlefield Airmen
This report describes RAND's assistance to the Air Force in designing physical task simulations to evaluate the physical capabilities required to perform critical physical tasks in six battlefield airmen occupational specialties.
Feb 20, 2020
Journal Article
Playground Features and Physical Activity in U.S. Neighborhood Parks
This study of a nationally representative sample of neighborhood parks assessed the characteristics, design, and use of public playgrounds by all age groups.
Dec 12, 2019
Blog
Veterans, Autonomous Vehicles, Digital Protests: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on preventing veteran suicide, who's responsible when a car is hacked, how digital protests can affect Fortune 500 companies, and more.
Nov 8, 2019
Blog
White Supremacist Terrorism, Wildfires, the Dark Web: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on violent white supremacy, power outages to prevent wildfires, how to catch criminals on the dark web, and more.
Nov 1, 2019
News Release
Americans May Not Be Too Busy to Exercise After All
Americans average more than five hours of free time each day, with men generally having a bit more than women. But instead of being physically active during that time, they spend most of it looking at screens.
Oct 28, 2019

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Next

Research conducted by