Better
Living Staff Writer
For
years, experts have been debating on how much exercise is the right amount to
improve health and longevity. The Journal of the American Medical Association
(JAMA) recently published two new large-scale studies that provide some
clarity.
The conclusion
is that the ideal dose of exercise for a long life is a little more than most
of us currently believe we should get, but less than many of us might expect.
The studies also found that intense or prolonged exercise is not likely to be
harmful and could add years to people’s lives.
And no exercise at all is the most harmful, as exercise reduces the
risks for many diseases and premature death.
The
Department of Health and Human Services currently recommends 150 minutes per
week of moderate aerobic, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity,
plus strength training twice a week.
The larger
of the two studies found that those who met the guidelines lowered their risk
of death by 31% during the 14-year study period, compared to those who did not
exercise. But tripling the amount of
exercise had the greatest benefit. Those who engaged in moderate exercise
such as walking for 450 minutes per week (just over an hour a day), lowered
their risk of premature death by 39%, compared to those who did no exercise. At
that point, the benefits plateaued.
The
good news is that 450 minutes per week is not necessary to gain benefits from
exercise. And the amount that is good for each person varies, depending on
health. For more information on how much
exercise is right for you, contact Better Living at (734) 747-0123.
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