Second Opinion
Recent studies “have advanced our understanding and offer new insights” into the importance of physical fitness and the kinds of physical activity that are most likely to promote a healthy heart, a trio of cardiologists write.
Second Opinion
A study published in the BMJ found the important thing is to get up and move — and to do it regularly and often. That also means not sitting for prolonged periods of time.
Second Opinion
Both insufficient physical activity and prolonged sitting have been individually linked to an increased risk of a number of chronic illnesses, as well as to early death from all causes.
Second Opinion
“A good message for the general public is that the best time to exercise is when you can do it, and if you can do it with consistency, so much the better,” said Dale Bond, the study’s senior author.
Second Opinion
The study found that older women who took an average of 4,400 steps per day were 41 percent less likely to die within the next four years than those who took only 2,700 steps per day.
Second Opinion
The findings support other research that has linked a lack of physical activity to a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease — and of having poorer health and quality of life after a heart attack or stroke.
Second Opinion
The American Fitness Index rankings are based on 33 separate indicators in two major categories: personal health and community/environment.
Second Opinion
“This is less than 10 minutes a day for people to maintain their independence,” said Dorothy Dunlop, the study’s lead author.
Second Opinion
The finding that individuals who become physically active later in life can “catch up” with life-long exercisers was unexpected, say the study’s authors.
Second Opinion
For adults aged 21 to 40, walking about 100 steps per minute constitutes moderate intensity, the study found.
