Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Moderation as the Sweet Spot


How much does one have to exercise? How much walking or jogging? 
Excerpts from an article in New York Times
Moderation as the Sweet Spot for Exercise
PHYS ED | By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS | June 6, 2012, 12:01 AM
New York Times (digital)
“To date, the data suggests that walking and light jogging are almost uniformly beneficial for health and do increase life span,” Dr. O’Keefe says. “But with more vigorous or prolonged exercise, the benefits can become questionable.
“I’m a fan of distance running,” he adds. “I run. But after about 45 to 60 minutes a day, you reach a point of diminishing returns, and at some point, you risk toxicity.”
His advice? The study by Dr. Lavie and his colleagues offers excellent guidelines for safe and effective exercise, Dr. O’Keefe says. “Twenty miles a week or less of jogging at a 10- or 11-minute-mile pace can add years to your life span. That’s very good news.” Indeed it is — especially since that routine happens to replicate almost exactly my own weekly exercise regimen.

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