We all know that when it comes to exercise, some is better than none. But exactly how much do you really need to reap the health benefits of an active lifestyle? The answer might actually be less than you'd expect, according to new research. The study, published in the journal Lancet, looked at the self-reported exercise regimen of 400,000 people over a 12-year period. They found that the people who reported small amounts of exercise (15 minutes per day), had a lower risk of dying from cancer and increased their life expectancy by 3 years, versus those who were inactive. "With every additional 15 minutes of exercise per day, participants reduced their risk of dying from cancer by another 1 percent. The author of the study did not encourage those who follow the "golden rule" of 30 minutes per day to cut back on their exercise, but he did hope that the findings encourage inactive people to get moving." The 15-minutes of exercise reported in the study were typically moderate-intensity activities. This might include an easy jog or brisk walk. It doesn't have to be a strenuous workout like high-impact aerobics or high intensity interval training to help you reap those health benefits. But the researchers are quick to point out a few things about the study: because the data is self-reported, there is room for error. Also, it's hard to determine cause and effect. Are people inactive because they are ill, or are people becoming ill because they are inactive? Hard to say. I think the important take-away from this is that every bit of activity counts. It's not to say that if you're exercising for 30-45 minutes daily, it's fine to do less. Previous research has shown the additional health and weight-loss benefits of exercising for more than 15-minutes per day. But if you know of someone who is very resistant to starting an exercise routine and feels overwhelmed with where to begin, 15-minutes per day is a very manageable suggestion. Looking for more information about how to squeeze short workouts into your day? Check out how Small Bits of Fitness Add Up, Squeezing in Exercise, and how to Sneak It In and Tone It Up. What do you think? |
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