A brisk walk of just 11 minutes every day is enough to reduce the risk of premature death, according to a study published Tuesday by researchers at the British University of Cambridge.
The researchers note that one in ten premature deaths could be prevented if everyone managed to get at least half the recommended amount of physical activity.
The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, argues that 11 minutes a day, or 75 minutes a week, of moderate to vigorous physical activity, such as brisk walking, is sufficient to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. stroke (CVA) or various types of cancer.
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world, responsible for 17.9 million deaths in 2019, while cancer caused 9.6 million deaths in 2017, the researchers stress.
According to the study, physical activity, particularly of moderate intensity, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer, and the British public health system (NHS, for its acronym in English) recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of physical activity moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity per week.
To explore the amount of activity needed to have a beneficial impact on preventing chronic disease or premature death, researchers at the University of Cambridge analyzed data from all the trials.
The scientists evaluated 196 peer-reviewed articles, covering more than 30 million participants from 94 large studies, to collect data on associations between activity levels and the risk of coronary heart disease, cancer, and premature death.
With 75 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week, the risk of premature death was reduced by 23%.
“Some physical activity is better than none…If 75 minutes a week is feasible for you, you can try gradually intensifying up to the full recommended amount,” said Soren Brage, one of the study authors.
The same 75 minutes a week of moderate activity is also enough to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 17% and cancer by 7%, according to the study.
On the other hand, James Woodcock, who also participated in the research, added that the study concluded “that there are substantial benefits for coronary health and that they reduce the risk of cancer even if it is only 10 minutes a day.”
Source: TSF
