New Research Shows: Any Activity, Including Sleeping, is Beneficial for Your Heart – Shiv Telegram Media
2 min read
New research conducted by UCL and the University of Sydney has revealed that incorporating just a few minutes of moderate exercise into our daily routines can have a significant positive impact on heart health. This groundbreaking study, which was supported by the British Heart Foundation, is the first of its kind to explore the connection between different movement patterns and cardiovascular well-being.
Cardiovascular disease is currently the leading cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for one in three deaths this year alone. In an effort to better understand the association between physical activity and heart health, the researchers analyzed data from six separate studies involving 15,246 participants from five different countries.
The findings of the study identified a clear hierarchy of movement behaviors in terms of their impact on heart health. Moderate-vigorous activity was found to provide the most benefits, followed by light activity, standing, and even sleeping, whereas sedentary behavior was linked to negative effects.
Surprisingly, the study also discovered that replacing sedentary behavior with just five minutes of moderate-vigorous activity each day can result in noticeable improvements in heart health. These improvements include a decrease in BMI, waist circumference, and glycated hemoglobin.
Furthermore, the study demonstrated that the intensity of movement plays a crucial role in determining the speed of improvement in heart health. Vigorous activity was found to offer the quickest results, but even lower-intensity activities, such as using a standing desk, can be beneficial over a longer period.
The researchers also observed that individuals who are the least active tend to experience the greatest benefits when they replace sedentary behaviors with more active ones. This highlights the importance of personalized recommendations for increasing physical activity.
The British Heart Foundation has emphasized the significance of incorporating small, manageable changes into our daily routines to improve cardiovascular health. Suggestions include “walking while taking phone calls” or “setting an alarm to do some star jumps every hour.”
This research was made possible through funding from the British Heart Foundation, which acknowledges the importance of further long-term studies in this field. These findings underscore the importance of staying active and making small lifestyle changes to enhance heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
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