Monday, April 06, 2015

Blog #7: Vigorous Exercise Linked to Longer Life, New Study Says

Vigorous Exercise Linked to Longer Life, New Study Says

Summary
There has been a common debate on how much vigorous activity humans should participate in. The studies that were conducted generated different results. Some of these studies suggested that we should engage in vigorous exercise consistently to prevent chronic diseases and early mortality. Other studies stated that adequate exercise is just as good. Presently, a large new study in JAMA Internal Medicine proposes that vigorous exercise can reduce early mortality significantly, regardless of body weight or chronic disease status.

This study was administered by researchers from James Cook University and the University of Sydney. Together, they observed data that tracked over 204,000 participants, forty-five years old and older, for a span of six and a half years. These participants were distributed into three groups; those who engaged in only moderate activity versus those who partook in vigorous activity thirty percent of the time, or more than thirty percent. Examples of moderate exercises or activities include swimming for leisure, social tennis, or household chores, whereas jogging, aerobics, or competitive tennis would be labeled vigorous activity.

The results from this study indicated that people who participated in vigorous exercise up to thirty percent of the time had a nine percent reduced risk of dying, while the people who engaged in vigorous exercise for more than thirty percent of the time reduced their mortality risk by thirteen percent.

Analysis
One of the researchers stated that whether a person is obese, have a heart disease, or diabetes, he or she will have a greater chance at longevity with some amount of vigorous activity. I find this to be true because a couple of years ago, one of my family members was obese and pre-diabetic. After changing her diet, and exercising regularly, she lost 80lbs and was no longer developing diabetes 2.  All in all, exercise of any kind and amount can produce a significant difference in someone’s life if it is done consistently.

Shané Lennon
4/6/15
5:46pm


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