This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Active lifestyle appears as beneficial as structured exercise
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Physical activity is encouraged to enhance quality of life and improve or prevent chronic disease. However, recent study data suggest that small increments of physical activity that add up to 30 minutes per day are just as beneficial as a more structured workout.
“Our results suggest that engaging in an active lifestyle approach, compared to a structured exercise approach, may be just as beneficial in improving various health outcomes,” researcher Paul D. Loprinzi, PhD, assistant professor in the department of exercise science at Bellarmine University, and Donna & Allan Lansing School of Nursing & Health Sciences in Louisville, Ky., said in a press release. “We encourage people to seek out opportunities to be active when the choice is available. For example, rather than sitting while talking on the phone, use this opportunity to get in some activity by pacing around while talking.”
Loprinzi and Bradley J. Cardinal, PhD, of Oregon State University, School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, conducted a cross-sectional study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003-2006). They included 6,321 patients aged 18 to 85 years.
The researchers defined a “bout” as 10 minutes of activity or more, and a “nonbout” as less than 10 minutes of activity. This can include tasks such as walking or pacing while speaking on the phone, or taking the stairs rather than the elevator. The patients were examined based on NHANES data and a questionnaire on their current health status, including descriptions of their general health (ie, excellent, very good, good, fair or poor).
After analysis, they found the association between bouts and nonbouts on each biologic health outcome (ie, metabolic syndrome; OR=1.89) was similar to bouts (OR=1.87). They reported that 39% of the patient population had metabolic syndrome.
According to data, this suggests an accumulation of 30 minutes moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the day can be as beneficial as a structured exercise approach.
“These findings are encouraging because a commonly reported barrier to physical activity participation among adults is a lack of time,” the researchers wrote.
Loprinzi and Cardinal recommend experimental studies to support and confirm their findings.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
Perspective
Back to Top
Sara C. Campbell, PhD
Studies like the one by Loprinzi and Cardinal are encouraging because it still remains a challenge to engage individuals in physical activity. This study supports the notion that we can start small and if we choose, work our way up when our fitness thresholds are met. The phrase “baby steps” really applies here.
This study also adds to the growing body of literature that suggests smaller bouts of exercise can be as efficacious as longer bouts. And as the readers suggest, those who note time as a barrier to physical activity can really benefit by making a conscious effort to do the little things such as taking the steps or parking farther, for example.
Their data to support changes in many biological variables are also encouraging. An important note is that adherence to these smaller bouts is higher among individuals, which has been reported and is supported by this study stating that 42.9% of those who participated in nonbouts meet the physical activity guidelines compared with 9.7% who completed 10-minute bouts.
Finally, the result suggesting that BMI may not be altered with nonbouts is interesting, suggesting that longer bouts may be better for altering BMI. Recall, BMI is a height/weight calculation and with no other substantial body composition measures (i.e. 2-skinfold measurements are not enough). We do not know if increases in lean mass or decreases in fat mass were seen.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts