Short Bouts Of Activity Tied To Better Heart Health
A study tracking over 25,000 people using wearables found that short bouts of incidental activity, such as everyday tasks, can help reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and premature death. Researchers from the University of Sydney and other institutions analyzed wrist-worn wearables data from UK adults and linked it to health records over nearly eight years. They discovered that regular performance of short bouts (one to three minutes) of moderate to vigorous physical activity significantly reduced the incidence of major cardiac events and overall mortality. Longer bouts were even more beneficial, regardless of the total activity level. A higher percentage of vigorous activity within each bout had the greatest benefit.
The study suggests that routinely engaging in daily activities of moderate intensity for at least one to three minutes can provide health benefits comparable to longer five- to 10-minute bouts of activity. While the study couldn’t establish a cause-and-effect relationship, it highlights the importance of everyday physical activity that is easily available to people who may not engage in structured exercise.
Source
thelancet/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(23)00183-4/fulltext
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