Embrace movement: unlock the potential of any level of physical activity
There is an old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That definitely applies to many things but not to our bodies. The science on this topic is in: Being physically active is not only important for our health but also has a significant impact on reducing the risk of common diseases. We need to continually use our bodies to keep them fine-tuned and to ward off disease. In fact, a recent overview by the World Health Organization suggested that meeting recommended levels of physical activity can result in a 20% to 30% reduced risk of premature death.
This does not mean that we have to be running 10K’s or go mountain biking to high peaks. Those are great activities, but we can all get movement with a wide variety of activities that occur during our daily life, including those related to domestic chores, transportation, work, and leisure activities. The scientists recommend that movement be frequent and can be vigorous or moderate. Each type of physical activity offers distinct health benefits. For example, aerobic activities like running and fast biking enhance cardiovascular function by increasing oxygen uptake, while anaerobic activities like resistance training with weights improve muscle strength and mass.
Even a little bit of physical activity, like brief sporadic vigorous activity, can have health benefits. For instance, individuals with low leisure time activity who engaged in just a few minutes of vigorous physical activity each day demonstrated a 17% decreased risk of total cancer and a 28% decreased risk for cancer sites possibly associated with low physical activity.
Thus, the importance of physical activity for our health cannot be overstated. Engaging in regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of common diseases and improve overall well-being. Finding ways to incorporate various types of physical activity into our daily lives is key to enjoying the numerous health benefits it offers. Whether it’s through structured exercises, daily tasks, or leisure activities, any level of physical activity is better than none!
JAMA Oncol. Published online July 27, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.1810
