Performing regularly physical activity does not help “only” to maintain weight under control, but protects the heart, allows you to monitor blood pressure, keeps away from diabetes, contributes to reducing cholesterol, strengthens bones and muscles, strengthens the immune system And it protects against tumors. A particular protection, the latter, consolidated by a new study that practicing in a moderate or intense way for at least 150 minutes a week – for example walking quickly or fast – is associated with a reduced danger of 19 chronic diseases.
Among those remarked by the research team of the University of Iowa, cardiovascular pathologies emerge – they are divided into ischemic heart diseases (such as myocardial infarction and angina pectis) and cerebrovascular (above all, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke)) – Pathologies of the respiratory system, diabetes and even cancer. Published on Chronic Disease preventingThe research saw Lucas J. Carr, a professor associated with the Department of Health and Human Physiology at the United States, in the role of corresponding author (provides useful material to the editors of scientific journals). Which pressed: “Most American hospitals do not ask patients information on their physical activity and no hospital in the Midwest – the state to which Iowa belongs – did it”.
Quick and targeted test
There are pros and cons of attracting every day but the authors of the study invite everyone to carry out physical activity (in relation to their health condition, it goes without saying) and urge the doctors to inquire about what exercise, every day, is practiced by their clients. In detail, the research team examined the responses of over 7,000 patients – period: from November 2017 to December 2022 – who indicated their level of physical activity by filling out a fast and detailed questionnaire (“Exercise Vital Survey”), based On two questions, to answer a tablet in just 30 seconds.
From the reports of the patients – whose data were also related to those of over 33,000 people who had not been subjected to controls on physical activity – it emerged that those who carry out higher levels of activities, therefore training with measure or vigor for at least 150 minutes a week, has a statistically significant lower danger of developing 19 chronic diseases. Conversely, those who practiced less than 150 minutes of intense physical activity every seven days had a higher risk of these conditions, including obesity, hypertension and depression.
Compensate the sedentary lifestyle
From the United States to Europe, where a meta-analysis by the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences (NiH) and published on British Journal of Sports Medicine He suggests how much physical activity (and what type) we should carry out to compensate for the health risks related to excessive sedentary lifestyle. Anchoring to the WHO 2020 guidelines, the results indicate that about 30-40 minutes of daily physical activity – of moderate to vigorous intensity – can be enough to balance ten hours spent in a sitting position.
To reveal an evident connection between sedentary lifestyle (we spend many hours a day completely inactive; at work, in front of the TV, in the car) and the danger of premature death there is also a research visible on Jama Network. The study shows that, those who remain sitting from six to eight hours a day, risk incurring cardiac pathologies and premature death greater than 12-20 percent than people sitting for less than four hours a day.
The recipe proposed by the health authorities is to limit sedentary conduct. Nonetheless, it may be complicated to do it: sedentary lifestyle, in fact, is inherent in numerous activities that we carry out every day. “A strategy to mitigate the negative effects – explains the AIRC Foundation – it is periodically stopping sedentary activities with a few minutes of slight physical activity, such as a walk or simple exercises of bending on the legs”. And for the laziest a study by the University College London (UCL) comes to the rescue, supported by the British Heart Foundation and published on European Heart Journal: The heart is good for any activity, even just sleeping.