Exercising In This Way Just Might Help You Live Longer
(Photo: Arthur Belebeau)
Daily physical activity is always a good thing (durrr,—yes, you already knew that), but new research is now suggesting that how you exercise might just help you live longer.
According to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine, people who performed vigorous exercise (think: competitive tennis, aerobics, running) for up to 30 percent of their time had longer lifespans than those who partook of more leisurely activities during the same amount of time (like swimming, chores around the house, social tennis).
The study tracked more than 204,000 people over the age of 45 for about six and a half years. Those who exercised vigorously showed a 9 to 13 percent reduced risk of dying, even after researchers controlled for variables (such as diet, age, alcohol use, and chronic illnesses).
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Says study author Klaus Gebel: “The benefits of vigorous activity applied to men and women of all ages, and were independent of the total amount of time spent being active…. The results indicate that whether or not you are obese, and whether or not you have heart disease or diabetes, if you can manage some vigorous activity it could offer significant benefits for longevity.”
One possible way to do that, say the researchers: high-intensity interval training, which alternates spurts of short, intense exercise with brief recovery periods.
Thoughts?
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