According to a new study released in the US, people only require 15 minutes of physical activity per day to extend their lifespan. If all the sedentary individuals out there start with just fifteen minutes of physical activity per day, then we might be a healthier nation for it. But I disagree.
For the past few years, doctors and governments have been prescribing between 30-90 minutes of physical activity per day. That sounds like a more realistic amount for good health and longevity, but even that isn’t enough when we consider our lifestyles.
Many of us lead very sedentary lives. Working in cubicles, driving cars, using the elevator, hiring a cleaner to make the house sparkle, and a remote to switch channels on the television. We’ve become too lazy to get up from our chair and walk to our colleague at the other end of the office – why bother when you can send an email or pick up the phone. Fifteen minutes of running upstairs is not going to make up for all the ass on chair time.
Another consideration is what type of activity we do in that fifteen minutes. Surely, a fifteen minute interval session is going to give a better result than a fifteen minute stroll in the park. But then again, that also depends on your goals, your weight and your health.
Fifteen minutes is a good start if you haven’t been working out at all, but 60-90 minutes four – five times per week is what you should aim for to avoid weight gain, keep the heart healthy, reduce stress and increase longevity. I’m not doctor, but from my own experience I know fifteen minutes is just not enough. Whatever you decide to do, listen to your body and remember that 15 minutes is much better than 0.
Here’s a quick interval workout you can do on the treadmill when you’ve only got 15 minutes to spare.
5 minute warm up @ 9.5k/h
1 minute @ 13k/h
1 minute @ 10k/h
1 minute @ 14k/h
1 minute @ 10k/h
1 minute @ 15k/hr
1 minute @ 10k/hr
1 minute @ 16k/hr
3 minute cool down @ 9.5k/h
What do you think about just 15 minutes per day?
Hmm, somehow I don’t think they were aiming that advice at people like you 🙂 Most of my friends do a lot of sport but for the ones who do nothing, your 15 minutes on the treadmill would actually make them pass out. Really. I just think there are three types of people when it comes to sport – athletes, people who walk/cycle to work or do fun activities without competing and people for whom 15 mins will always be 15 mins too many.
You’re right Niamh, 15 minutes for many people is more than they are willing or able to do. I do hope though that more people will see the benefits of exercising (not necessarily competing) and start working out more often to stay healthy and set an example for the younger generation.