Exercise guidelines 'need changing'
Brisk walking is advised but jogging would be better, study says
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Wednesday, 10, Oct 2007 12:01
Current exercise guidelines in Britain need to be changed to improve health and fitness levels, researchers have warned today.
A study from scientists at the University of Exeter and Brunel University says that present guidelines are threatening the nation's health.
The researchers say the most beneficial health effects are gained from regular participation in vigorous activities such as jogging and competitive sports.
But since 1995 the Department of Health (DoH) has advised 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week, which can be achieved through activities such as walking, housework or gardening.
This has led adults to believing that moderate exercise is more beneficial than vigorous exercise, according to the study published in the journal Preventive Medicine.
It claims that 56 per cent of men and 71 per cent of women now think that walking a few times a week is enough exercise to stave off health problems.
The study's lead author, Dr Gary O'Donovan, said that brisk walking offers some health benefits "but jogging, running and other vigorous activities offer maximal protection from disease".
"Time and time again, the largest and most robust studies have shown that vigorously active individuals live longer and enjoy a better quality of life than moderately active individuals and couch potatoes," he added.
"It's extremely worrying that British adults now believe that a brief stroll and a bit of gardening is enough to make them fit and healthy. The challenge now is to amend Britain's physical activity guidelines so that they emphasise the role vigorous activity plays in fighting obesity, type two diabetes, and heart disease."
In response to the report a spokesperson for the DoH said the government has "no plans" to change existing exercise recommendations for adults.
"We recommend that people do at least 30 minutes a day of at least moderate intensity physical activity on five or more days of the week for a general health benefit," the spokesperson added.
"This is based on a comprehensive review of the evidence, carried out by a team of academics and expert advisers, which set out the available evidence from around the world for the impact that physical activity has on health."