09/25/2024
Recent research has revealed some good news for those who find it challenging to incorporate exercise into their daily schedules! Studies have indicated that brief periods of physical activity related to simple household tasks are linked to a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.
The study, published in The Lancet Public Health journal, involved data from more than 25,000 adults aged 42-78 who wore fitness trackers daily for two years; and it's worth noting that NONE of the adults in the study engaged in recreational exercise or participated in sports. The physical exertion measured was attributed to everyday activities such as gardening, taking out the trash, walking to retrieve the mail, and other household chores.
The researchers discovered that even short bursts of moderate to vigorous activity, lasting around 10 minutes or less, were linked to a significant decrease in major heart problems and overall mortality. They also found that higher levels of physical exertion during each burst had even more benefits.
In fact, people who engaged in intense activity for at least 15% of the time, which is about 10 seconds per minute, experienced the greatest advantages. This suggests that regularly doing moderate to intense activities, like continuous movement for one to three minutes at a time, could lower the risk of major heart problems.
Here are 10 examples of everyday activities that, with a little extra oomph, can get you huffing and puffing in no time:
Taking the trash cans to the curb
Gardening
Carrying loads of laundry up the stairs
Jogging or walking briskly down the driveway to get the mail
Vacuuming with gusto
Scrubbing the bathroom floor
Picking up or playing with kids or grandkids
Cleaning out the car
Wiping down windows
Dusting the tops of hard-to-reach places
The Lancet Public Health Article: https://www.thelancet.com/.../PIIS2468-2667(23.../fulltext
Nice News Article: https://nicenews.com/.../10-minute-activity-bursts.../
