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Constant physical activity in everyday life is better than gym
Increased physical activity in our everyday lives has a positive effect on health. Even minor issues, such as using stairs or walking short distances to the office, seem to better protect people from heart disease and premature death than joining a gym.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University's Faculty of Health Sciences in Vancouver found in their current research that increased physical activity could prevent one in 20 heart diseases and one in 12 premature deaths. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "The Lancet".
People should move enough. In this way, they can protect themselves against cardiovascular diseases and premature death at no extra cost. Regular exercise integrated into everyday life can even bring more than going to the gym. (Image: upixa / fotolia.com) Researchers are studying the data of 130,000 people for their study
For the current study, data from 130,000 people from 17 countries were compared. Among these countries were some wealthy countries such as Canada and Sweden and some far from less prosperous countries, including Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
Optimal amount of physical activity should be increased in guidelines
Most current guidelines recommend that people spend around 30 minutes a day on physical activity to prevent their likelihood of heart disease and premature deaths. However, the optimal amount of exercise or exercise is more likely to be around one to two hours a day, explains author Professor Scott Lear of Simon Fraser University's faculty of health sciences.
Physical activity should be part of working life at best
Most people will now think that they can not incorporate such a lot of physical activity into their daily routine. After work, many people are stressed out and are more concerned about their dinner than over two hours of physical training. However, the results of the current study show that those with the highest levels of activity are those in whom physical activity is part of working life, not visitors to gyms.
Sitting for hours harms the human heart
"We can all integrate more activity into our everyday lives rather than relying on occasional trips to the gym or swimming pool," say the experts. Hours of sitting are not good for the human heart and body. Getting up and some exercise is especially important for affected people. Incidentally, some work can also be done while walking: you can, for example, hold your meetings with only one or two people on the move during a short walk, the researchers advise.
So you can increase your physical activity during the day
When you're in the park with your kids, it's better to play with the kids and move, rather than sit on a bench and watch the kids. Paths to work can be tackled on foot or by bike. If the way is too long, take the train and get off one or two stops before. Take the stairs instead of getting into the elevator. There are several ways to increase daily activity.
Physical activity is a cost effective way to improve your health
Increased physical activity protects your health. According to the researchers, if people walk more than 750 minutes per week or perform equivalent activity, researchers reduce their risk of premature death by 36 percent. In many low-income countries, it is not possible for residents to eat enough fruit and vegetables to prevent cardiovascular disease. Also suitable drugs are often too expensive and physical activity could be a cost-effective alternative.
People in poorer countries work more physically, but have a poorer health system
The increased amount of physical labor of people in low-income countries reduces heart disease and improves the likelihood of surviving a heart attack or stroke. The poorer health care, however, has an opposite effect.
Rising number of heart disease in low-income people
The results of the study clearly show that physical activity is the best medicine for reducing the likelihood of premature death. However, there is a trend for an increasing number of heart diseases in lower income groups, the researchers explain. As sufficient exercise does not incur high costs but protects against various illnesses and premature death, governments should encourage people to move more in the future. Thus, the health of those affected can be protected and at the same time a cost saving in the health system can be achieved. Especially for people who sit a lot in their work, additional movement is very important. (As)