What is the role of exercise in maintaining good health and preventing metabolic disease, hypertension, cardiorespiratory disease, cancer, and obesity? What is the optimal exercise level to prevent such common diseases and conditions? These important questions were addressed and discussed by researchers, therapists, and physicians at the international symposium "Optimal Exercise for Preventing Common Diseases," held in Fukuoka, Japan, in July 1998, in conjunction with the Fukuoka University Research Center. This book compiles the papers presented at the symposium, giving state-of-the-art information that will be especially valuable to exercise physiologists, physical therapists, and those working in the field of sports medicine.