A scientific study conducted in cooperation between several European universities revealed that a “light dose of physical exercise daily” helps maintain heart health.
The study conducted by a research team from the Universities of Rennes in France, Birmingham in Britain, Southern Denmark and Oviedo in Spain showed that practicing moderate to vigorous physical exercise for 5 minutes or less several times a day throughout the week helps maintain heart and lung health.
As part of the study published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine, which specializes in the field of sports medicine, researchers examined the results of 11 clinical trials that included more than 400 adults who live sedentary lives.
Volunteers in the study were required to adhere to an exercise program that included physical exercises for periods not exceeding 5 minutes several times a day over a period of 12 weeks as part of their daily routine.
The results of the study showed that light doses of exercise achieved a significant improvement in the volunteers’ heart and respiratory health, but did not result in major changes in weight, blood pressure, or cholesterol.
It was found that more than 82% of the volunteers committed to light exercise throughout the trial period.
The Health Day website, which specializes in scientific research, quoted members of the research team as saying that this observation is of great importance, given that lack of motivation and lack of time are considered among the main reasons for not exercising in general.
The researchers believe that since nearly a third of the world’s adults do not practice a sufficient amount of movement and physical activity, they say, these light doses of exercise may be an easy way to regain activity during the day.