"BRISK, BUT COMFORTABLE" A NEW STUDY REVEALS THE BEST
PACE FOR YOUR HEART
Background
The pace that feels right probably is. When
it comes to fitness, a brisk, comfortable walking pace strengthens
the heart, researchers reported today at the American Heart
Association's Scientific Sessions 2003.
"A large segment of the population still
believes exercise must be vigorous, demanding or involve
more complicated activities than walking to adequately raise
one's heart rate. This perception of "no pain, no gain"
can discourage people from starting to exercise at all,"
said lead investigator Kyle McInnis, Sc.D., professor of
exercise science at the University of Massachusetts in Boston.
He and other researchers studied a group of 84 obese adults,
who were between 30 and 100 pounds overweight, seeking professional
advice on a safe level of exercise. According to McInnis,
"the results showed that when participants self-selected
a speed that was comfortable but brisk, their heart rate
and level of exertion was in a safe range but high enough
to improve their cardiovascular fitness." McInnis hopes
that the results of the new study will encourage sedentary
people to begin exercising and help to lower their risk
for cardiovascular disease.
Obesity is a major independent risk factor
for heart disease. Most obese persons have one or more additional
risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol
or insulin resistance. Increasing physical activity is key
to reducing these risks, helping to reduce blood pressure,
blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and to significantly
lower the risk of death and disability from heart disease.
The American Heart Association, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports
Medicine recommend people walk or perform other moderate-intensity
exercises for at least 30 minutes five days or more a week.
For more information on exercise and cardiovascular
disease please log on to www.americanheart.org.
Interviews
- Cheryl Bean/Walker
- Kyle McInnis, Sc.D, Professor of Exercise Science at
University of Massachusetts, Boston
- Amy Smith/Walker
VIDEO PROVIDED BY: THE AMERICAN HEART
ASSOCIATION
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