Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Extra Two Minutes Walking Can Add Years To Your Life

Darpan News Desk IANS, 01 May, 2015 11:15 AM
    Adding just two minutes of walking each hour to your routine can offset the health hazards of sitting for long periods of time, says a study led by an Indian-origin researcher.
     
    A "trade-off" of sitting for light intensity activities for two minutes each hour is associated with a 33 percent lower risk of dying, the findings showed.
     
    Numerous studies have shown that sitting for extended periods of time each day leads to increased risk for early death, as well as heart disease, diabetes and other health conditions.
     
    "It was fascinating to see the results because the current national focus is on moderate or vigorous activity. To see that light activity had an association with lower mortality is intriguing," said lead author Srinivasan Beddhu, professor of medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine.
     
    The researchers examined 3,243 participants to see whether longer durations of low intensity activities (e.g. standing), and light intensity activities (e.g. casual walking, light gardening, cleaning) extends the life span of people who are sedentary for more than half of their waking hours.
     
    Beddhu explained that while it is obvious that it takes energy to exercise, strolling and other light activities also use energy -- and even short walks add up to a lot when repeated many times over the course of a week.
     
    Assuming 16 awake hours each day, two minutes of strolling each hour expends 400 kilocalorie (kcal) each week.
     
    That number approaches the 600 kcal it takes to accomplish the recommended weekly goal of moderate exercise.
     
    "Based on these results, we would recommend adding two minutes of walking each hour in combination with normal activities, which should include 2.5 hours of moderate exercise each week," Beddhu noted.
     
    Moderate exercise strengthens the heart, muscles, and bones, and confers health benefits that low and light activities cannot.
     
    The study was published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Genetic mutations can't explain asthma

    Genetic mutations can't explain asthma
    Despite a strong suspected link between genetics and asthma, genetic mutations account for only a small part of the risk for developing the disease, shows a new study...

    Genetic mutations can't explain asthma

    Advanced 3D facial imaging may detect autism early

    Advanced 3D facial imaging may detect autism early
    Using advanced 3D facial imaging techniques, researchers at University of Missouri have identified facial measurements in children with autism...

    Advanced 3D facial imaging may detect autism early

    DNA 'glue' can help grow tissues, organs

    DNA 'glue' can help grow tissues, organs
    DNA molecules can act as a glue to hold together 3D-printed materials that could be used to grow tissues and organs in the lab, researchers report....

    DNA 'glue' can help grow tissues, organs

    Blocking hormone can fix stress-induced infertility

    Blocking hormone can fix stress-induced infertility
    Chronic stress activates a hormone that reduces fertility long after the stress has ended, but blocking this hormone returns female reproductive...

    Blocking hormone can fix stress-induced infertility

    Inherited viruses make us smarter

    Inherited viruses make us smarter
    Long thought to be "junk DNA" of no real use, millions of years old inherited viruses actually play an important role in making the human brain dynamic and...

    Inherited viruses make us smarter

    Virtual game can detect mild cognitive impairment

    Virtual game can detect mild cognitive impairment
    A team of Greek researchers has shown the potential of a virtual reality brain training game as a screening tool for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)....

    Virtual game can detect mild cognitive impairment