Step away from the couch. Put down that remote control.
Engaging in even a modest amount of exercise (just 74 minutes per week!) has been associated with a significant improvement in quality of life among middle-aged women, a new study shows.
It’s not exactly a secret that exercise has a myriad of health benefits. But what scientists found in a six-month study may surprise you.
We’ve all heard the general message about the power of exercise. It helps offset genetic risk for many health conditions by regulating weight, cholesterol and insulin levels, and even helps prevent premature death.
A lack of exercise has also been linked to an increased risk of developing many serious health conditions, including cancer, diabetes and heart attack.
But take a look at the interesting specifics that researchers found in a six-month study of 430 formerly sedentary women:
- Most women were able to stick with their new exercise program, which ranged from 74 minutes to 183 minutes per week on treadmills and semi-recumbent bikes.
- Improvements in physical and mental health were seen even at modest training intensity levels.
- The more women exercised, the better they felt.
- Across the board, women saw improvements in their quality of life – even if they didn’t lose weight from the exercise.
The randomized controlled trial is the first to demonstrate that “instituting a regular exercise program results in significant improvements in mental and physical quality of life,” the study’s authors wrote, “and that these improvements are sensitive to exercise dose, i.e. dose dependent.”
As a practicing physician for more than 30 years, I’ve always encouraged my patients to select an exercise they enjoy and stick with it. Failing to exercise is one of the worst things you can do to your body. In fact, physical inactivity is a risk factor for many of the health conditions that Navigenics assesses in our analysis of personal genetic risk.
If you carry a genetic predisposition for any number of health conditions, exercise is often a key way to lower your risks.
You don’t have to be a top athlete to take a brisk walk or bike ride. Consider hopping in the pool and doing some laps. Always wanted to take salsa dancing lessons? Now is a good time to start.
You have only one body. Using it will boost your quality of life in many ways. And guys, though the study was done with female subjects, don’t think exercise won’t benefit you as well. Get out there and get moving.
ObamaMama Mar 11, 2009
I know that I always feel better if I’m able to sneak out of the office for a quick walk during lunchtime. Who knew it could help my health?