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Exercise: Some is Good, but More is Better
March 23, 2009
A recent study emphasizing the value of relatively limited amounts of exercise for sedentary Americans should not be misinterpreted to mean that small amounts of exercise are adequate for maintaining good health.
Findings by British researchers, published in the journal BioMed Central Endocrine Disorders, suggests that those who are unable to meet governmental guidelines calling for 2-3 hours of moderate to vigorous exercise per week can benefit from small amounts of activity.
The researchers, led by James Timmons at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, reported that just seven minutes of exercise each week helped a group of 16 men in their early twenties control insulin levels. Study participants, who were relatively unfit but otherwise healthy, rode exercise bicycles in 30-second spurts four times daily, two times per week.
At the end of a two-week period, the men’s bodies showed a 23% improvement in ability to effectively use insulin to clear glucose from the blood stream. The positive effect lasted up to 10 days from the last round of exercise. Other important benefits of exercise, such as weight control or lower blood pressure, were not considered in the study.
There certainly are benefits to be derived from even short spurts of physical activity, and interval training is something I do recommend. While even small amounts of exercise may have a beneficial effect, however, there is much more to be gained from an active lifestyle incorporating generous amounts of movement into the daily routine.
Topics: Health News