The habit of exercising a little every day, unlike what many believed, does not compensate for the physical harm caused by working in a chair all day, for example. A study led by Vahid Farrahi, a postdoctoral scientist at the University of Oulu in Finland, shows that despite the commitment to exercise, people spending long hours straight in a sedentary mode may be at risk of developing a range of health problems.

The research involved more than 3,700 people and found that those who exercise daily for half an hour, but spend the rest of the time sitting almost uninterruptedly for another 10, 11, or even 20 hours a day, often have high levels of blood sugar, cholesterol, and body fat. Men and women, on the other hand, who get up and move around a little more frequently, either by walking gently or exercising more, tend to be significantly healthier.

The conclusion reached is that in addition to a quick workout, we need to take breaks from our routine and move lightly and frequently throughout the day. According to the authors, people would benefit if they doubled their workouts to 60 minutes in total. But according to Farrahi, who is responsible for the research, adding 10 or 15 extra minutes of daily physical activity already makes a difference.

“Keep it simple. Try to move more, as you can, whenever you can and the way you like. Any additional movement should be beneficial,” he said in an interview with The Washington Post. A tip from the researchers: try putting the printer and trash cans in another room so that you have to get up and walk there.

—

Source: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise | The Washington Post