Light To Moderate Physical Activity Reduces The Risk Of Early Death

On August 13, 2010, in Health | Fitness, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD

A new study by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Cambridge University, and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden has found that even light or moderate intensity physical activity, such as walking or cycling, can substantially reduced the risk of early death. The study was published this week by the International Journal of Epidemiology.

The study combined the results from the largest studies around the world on the health impact of light and moderate intensity physical activity. It showed that the largest health benefits from light or moderate activity (such as walking and cycling) were in people who do hardly any physical activity at all. Although more activity is better – the benefits of even a small amount of physical activity are very large in the least physically active.

The good news from this study is that you do not have to be an exercise junkie to benefit from physical activity. Just achieving the recommended levels of physical activity (equivalent to 30 minutes daily of moderate intensity activity on 5 days a week) reduces the risk of death by 19% [95% CI = 15% to 24%], while 7 hours per week of moderate activity (compared with no activity) reduces the risk of death by 24% (95% CI = 19% to 29%).

Lead researcher, James Woodcock said, “This research confirms that is not just exercising hard that is good for you but even moderate everyday activities, like walking and cycling, can have major health benefits. Just walking to the shops or walking the children to school can lengthen your life – as well as bringing other benefits for well-being and the environment.”

Material adapted from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

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Christopher Fisher, PhD

Dr. Christopher Fisher, Managing Editor for The Behavioral Medicine Report, received his PhD in Clinical Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine with an emphasis in biopsychosocial approaches to health and wellness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), neurofeedback, biofeedback, cranial electrical stimulation (CES), and QEEG from University of North Texas. He is Board Certified in Neurofeedback (BCIA). Dr. Fisher also received a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Dr. Fisher maintains a private practice in Corpus Christi, Texas, and offers individual therapy, group therapy, and neurofeedback. You can learn more here: http://www.christopherfisherphd.com Dr. Fisher enjoys spending time with family, watching sports and movies, and bicycling on rugged terrain.

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