How much excercise is enough? Are we sending the right message?

James C Baldi, , Stewart M Robinson

University of Auckland,

2002

New Zealand Medical Journal

James C Baldi, chris.baldi@otago.ac.nz.

For decades, health professionals have encouraged people to become more active, thereby reducing the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension, diabetes and other conditions linked to sedentary living. Through the 1970s and 80s, consensus recommendations stated that vigorous activity lasting 20-60 minutes should be performed 3-5 times per week for health benefit. Large cohort studies have repeatedly shown that the health benefit of regular exercise is dose-dependent with regard to total caloric expenditure and intensity, and thus vigorous activities were the focus of recommendations. Unfortunately, such recommendations have not resulted in a greater percentage of the population becoming more active.

Keywords: regular exercise, health, vigorous activity, obesity

Visit/Download now

Mixed-method

National

Journal

Published

Physical activity

Adults, Young People

Community

Barriers, Benefits, Delivery, Impacts - economic, Impacts- social, Management, Participation, Professionals

1610

July 18, 2014