The material presented in this booklet is concerned with the impact of physical activity practiced by the general public, irrespective of age and sex, of various North American and European countries. Major emphasis is on the individual's physical health and susceptibility to disease. Chapter one discusses diseases which occur most frequently in populations, costs of health expenditures, and improvement of health standards. Chapter two presents demographic studies attempting to correlate the amount of physical activity with coronary disease and details ways in which the heart can be protected. Chapter three deals with physical activity and neurophysiological equilibrium; chapter four takes up physical activity and the capacity for work; and chapters five and six describe physiological characteristics of aging and physical activities necessary for optimal enjoyment of life. (Related document: ED 007 485.) (JB)