Even though people understand the benefits of working out, many still need to catch up with the momentum. For instance, just 20% of adults of age 50 and above take part in vigorous exercise for 15 minutes each week. These exercises could be simply jogging or on a treadmill. However, the question remains on the least activity you ought to do.
Researchers from around the globe undertook a study that suggests you don’t require much physical exercise to acquire significant health benefits. These findings could encourage more people to work out as they could go at their pace.
How researchers conducted the study
The research enlisted 72,000 participants of ages ranging from 50 to 80. Complimentary to the study, they all had no case of cancer or heart disease. The researchers recorded each of their physical activities using a device. It was a different approach to past studies as they relied on the participants’ feedback. The shortcoming of this method was information could easily be flawed. Therefore, researchers made a follow-up on each participant’s health for five years. They found that the risk was lower in individuals who carried on with vigorous exercise than those who were inactive.
According to the study, the risk of death by cancer and all other causes was 17% less. It was even the case for participants who took just 15 minutes of intense exercise each week. Furthermore, a highly fierce 50-minute workout each week lessened the risk of death because of all other causes by 36%. Death caused by cancer and other reason was the highest in the initial 40 minutes of a vigorous workout each week. Moreover, dying because of heart disease decreased significantly with each increment of 40 minutes.
Insights of the study
When it comes to highly intense exercise, consider targeting 40 minutes weekly. In the case of heart disease, consider pushing even more. You don’t have to complete the exercise in one session. You can spread it across the week as they sum up. Moderately intense exercise of 150 minutes every week is also an alternative. One example is brisk walking.
