Short bursts of exercise at home good for the heart

Short bursts of exercise, such as raking the lawn and climbing the stairs, are an excellent way of warding off health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, the Daily Mirror and many global media outlets reported.

The news is based on the results of a cross-sectional study which suggested that even less than 10 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity, such as climbing stairs, ‘count’ and may be as beneficial as longer periods of exercise.

This useful and well-conducted study measured the physical activity of more than 6,000 adults, in addition to measuring various health markers such as blood fats, blood sugar and blood pressure, that are known to be risk factors for chronic conditions including diabetes and heart disease.

The study found that performing moderate or vigorous activity of any duration – either short bursts of less than 10 minutes or for longer – was associated with improved measurements of several cardiovascular risk factors.

The study suggests that even people who do not have time to go to the gym or an exercise class can get many of the health benefits of exercise from adopting an ‘active’ lifestyle.

While the study cannot directly prove cause and effect, it would suggest that any moderate or vigorous exercise you can fit in during the course of a day, benefits your health.

Where did the story come from?

The study was carried out by researchers from Bellarmine University and Oregon State University. The source of funding for this study was not declared.

The study was published in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Health Promotion.

This study was covered by the Daily Mirror and the Mail Online. Although the gist of the story is correct, the researchers looked at short bursts of moderate and vigorous physical activity, rather than the ‘light exercise’ reported in the Mail Online.

Links To The Headlines

Well, I’ll go to the foot of the stairs! Light exercise around the house is as good for your heart as workout. Daily Mirror, January 31 2013

Forget the gym and try the stairs! Short bursts of exercise are just as beneficial as a regular workout. Daily Mail, January 31 2013

Taking the Stairs, Raking Leaves May Have Same Health Benefits as a Trip to the Gym. Sciencedaily.com, published online January 28 2013

Links To Science

Loprinzi PD, Cardinal BJ. Association Between Biologic Outcomes and Objectively Measured Physical Activity Accumulated in >10-Minute Bouts and <10-Minute Bouts. American Journal of Health Promotion. Published online January 2013

2013-02-01 11:16:19

Source: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/February/Pages/Short bursts-of-exercise-good-for-heart.aspx