Study Throws Light on Proper Intensity of Physical Activity

Vigorous activity could be better. according to the study by researchers who analyzed data collected from more than 400,000 U.S. residents with mean age of 43 years. This study showed that for the same amount of activity, slight increase in vigorous activity is better. This study suggests that patients should engage in physical activity for at least 20 to 25 minutes daily, and some of it should be vigorous.

Moderate physical activity is the activity that causes light sweating or slight increases in heart or breathing rates. Vigorous physical activity was defined as activity that causes heavy sweating or large increases in heart or breathing rates.

During mean follow-up of 10 years, 37,000 deaths occurred. One third of subjects reported no moderate or vigorous activity. Compared with no activity, any moderate or vigorous activity was associated with less risk of cardiovascular death.

Slight increase in vigorous activity was linked to oower all-cause mortality. For example, in adjusted analyses, participants with >50% vigorous activity had 17% lower risk for death than did participants with no vigorous activity, whereas those with <50% vigorous activity had 10% lower risk.

Participants with 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity weekly that included at least 150 minutes of vigorous activity had the lowest risk for death.

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Source-Medindia