An 11-minute quick walk every day could prevent one in ten premature deaths worldwide, according to the largest ever study of its kind. Globally, one in ten early deaths could be avoided if everyone met just half the NHS target for moderate (适度的)-intensity physical activity, the pooled data analysis suggests. The results were published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Moderate-intensity physical activity is defined as activity that raises the heart rate and makes people breathe faster, but still leaves them able to speak. "If you are someone who finds the idea of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week a bit daunting, then our findings should be good news," said Dr. Soren Brage, of Cambridge's Medical Research Council epidemiology unit.
Researchers looked at 196 peer-reviewed articles, covering more than 30 million participants from 94 large study teams. They then examined the link between levels of physical activity and the risk of heart disease, cancer and early death.
At least 75 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity lowered the risk of early death by 23%. It was also enough to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 17% and cancer by 7%. "We know that physical activity, such as walking or cycling, is good for you, especially if you feel it raises your heart rate," said Prof. James Woodcock, also of Cambridge University. "But what we've found is there are substantial benefits to heart health and reducing your risk of cancer even if you can only manage 10 minutes every day."
The researchers calculated that if everyone in the studies had done the equal of at least 150 minutes a week of moderate activity, about one in six early deaths would have been prevented. But even if everyone had managed at least 75 minutes a week, about one in ten early deaths would have been prevented, the research found.
