Public 'misled' on exercise needs

[Demi]

BBC Online News
London, UK
10 October, 2007


Public 'misled' on exercise needs

"Misleading" government guidelines have led to many Britons wrongly believing that moderate exercise is as beneficial as a vigorous workout, a study alleges.

In a survey of nearly 1,200 people, around half of men and three quarters of women thought moderate exercise conferred the greatest health benefits.

Guidelines urge 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day five days per week.

But the authors of the study, published in Preventive Medicine, said vigorous exercise was best for averting disease.

The NHS guidelines say "taking a brisk walk, spending some time doing the gardening or doing a few laps of the local swimming pool on the way home from work" can all improve health.

But the researchers from Exeter and Brunel Universities said these activities were unlikely to do much for them.

"It's extremely worrying that British adults now believe that a brief stroll and a bit of gardening is enough to make them fit and healthy," said Dr Gary O'Donovan, lead author.

"Brisk walking offers some health benefits, but jogging, running and other vigorous activities offer maximal protection from disease."

Academic debate

Other specialists said the survey results were not surprising, and that few people in any event met the guidelines for moderate exercise.

But Paul Gately, professor of exercise and obesity at Leeds Metropolitan, said it was very difficult to formulate a "one size fits all" policy to exercise, as moderate exercise for one would be intense for another.

He also stressed that public misunderstandings about exercise could not be blamed solely on the government, as academics themselves were continually formulating new theories.

In August alone two separate and apparently contradictory reports emerged.

One found walking less than the current guidelines stipulated had significant health benefits; another suggested a minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous exercise three times a week was needed for good health.

In addition, no-one is clear what part exercise really plays in preventing disease.

While some studies have shown that those who workout may have a reduced cancer risk, it can be difficult to separate this from other lifestyle factors like diet, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and socio-economic group.

A Department of Health spokesperson said its guidelines were "based on a comprehensive review of the evidence, carried out by a team of academics and expert advisers.

"We take a keen interest in new developments in this area, but there are no plans at present to change the existing recommendations for adults."


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7035557.stm

[Absinthe62]

Ummmm, when the average person is around 50 lbs overweight, "jogging and running" can be murder on the joints. Maybe pain or discomfort is why the majority avoid vigorous exercise? Some activity is better than no activity.

The US had similar problems when it went to create fitness guidelines. I think the ideal was 60 minutes daily, but it was dummied down to 30 minutes several times a week since they figured most would be turned off by the original goal.

[kebaldwin]

Actually, there is evidence showing that "vigorous workouts" can be harmful instead of benefical. They can generate a lot of damage to the body, increase inflammation, diminish muscle, etc.

[mike_d]

Studies have shown exercise can be detrimental to subject weight loss until they are nearer to an ideal weight. The message is diet first then start vigorous exercise or "great abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym."

I believe the current gov guideline is 30 min to maintain your weight and 90 min of vigorous exercise to lose weight. I agree with that if following the FDA's food pyramid.

[Wifezilla]

I did 60 minutes a day for workouts for 2 years. I never lost a single pound.

[kaypeeoh]

I did 60 minutes a day for workouts for 2 years. I never lost a single pounds.

Traubes makes the point that studies show exactly what you said. You end up eating more to compensate for the calories burned during exercise.

So the exercise has to be coupled with a lower caloric intake. Not exactly what Atkins acolytes want to hear as it belies the 'metabolic advantage' theory.

[NorthPeace]

I don't know which is better. Oh I know, BOTH.

[Wifezilla]

Oh, I cut back on food consumption during that time period too. And yeah, I was ALWAYS hungry!!!

So reduced calories + exercise = no weight loss
and higher fat + very low carb + less exercise = 30 lb weight loss in 4 months.

Hummmmmm

[amberview]

BBC Online News
London, UK
10 October, 2007


Public 'misled' on exercise needs


The NHS guidelines say "taking a brisk walk, spending some time doing the gardening or doing a few laps of the local swimming pool on the way home from work" can all improve health.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7035557.stm
I can't swim on the way home from work. It's 12 miles of land from work to home and I'd never get dinner done ontime.

What's up in the UK that allows you to swim home? :lol:

[TimesTwo]

Hmph. I was hoping this article would say we can exercise less.The NHS guidelines say "taking a brisk walk, spending some time doing the gardening or doing a few laps of the local swimming pool on the way home from work" can all improve health.I can't swim on the way home from work. It's 12 miles of land from work to home and I'd never get dinner done ontime.

What's up in the UK that allows you to swim home? :lol: :lol: Doing the breaststroke across 12 miles of land would certainly count as vigorous exercise!

[fujiwara]

One of my very overweight friends has started going to the gym to do cardio. She does it to the point that her knee swells and hurts. That's probably not doing her much good. She eats a high carb diet, and hasn't lost much weight yet.

[kebaldwin]

One of my very overweight friends has started going to the gym to do cardio. She does it to the point that her knee swells and hurts. That's probably not doing her much good. She eats a high carb diet, and hasn't lost much weight yet.

I would think that most of us - have been there and done that.

When I was young - I could simply cut back on the calories a little and exercise a little bit more and see results. But once I got significantly overweight and my mid 30s - I could not get any significant weight loss.

[waywardsis]

Traubes makes the point that studies show exactly what you said. You end up eating more to compensate for the calories burned during exercise.

So the exercise has to be coupled with a lower caloric intake. Not exactly what Atkins acolytes want to hear as it belies the 'metabolic advantage' theory.

:) OR...you can lose the weight with diet, and start working out - for health as opposed to weight loss - when you're at a weight that makes it more comfortable to do so. Which is what the folks at my gym recommend...gym is for looking good nekkid, not for losing weight.

And not everyone has to lower calories. For some of us, there is a metabolic advantage. I've lost more weight eating Atkins and not exercising than I did eating low fat/high carb/lower calories (compared to what I eat now) and exercising 3-5 days a week, weights and cardio. Lots of cardio. Ugh. And I can eat double the calories I was maintaining on as a lf/hc vegetarian (a fat one at that) and not gain an ounce.

[Kristine]

I can eat double the calories I was maintaining on as a lf/hc vegetarian (a fat one at that) and not gain an ounce.
Ditto. When I'm eating high cal/high fat like that, I stop using Fitday because I find the numbers alarming. :lol:

[PS Diva]

This type of info discourages people from exercising unless they can do "enough" exercise! As in, what's the point? I think it is important to remember that the more we move our bodies the better.

[Wifezilla]

There ARE benefits to exercise. Losing weight just isn't one of them.

[Angeline]

One of my very overweight friends has started going to the gym to do cardio. She does it to the point that her knee swells and hurts. That's probably not doing her much good. She eats a high carb diet, and hasn't lost much weight yet.

You should tell he to do water aerobics, it would be gentler on her joints. Of course it would be even better if she ate low-carb, but I'm sure you're pointed that out to her. :)

[Locarb4mee]

Traubes makes the point that studies show exactly what you said. You end up eating more to compensate for the calories burned during exercise.



Barry Groves says basically the same thing, too.

[fujiwara]

You should tell he to do water aerobics, it would be gentler on her joints. Of course it would be even better if she ate low-carb, but I'm sure you're pointed that out to her. :)


She's one of those people who believes that her way is the only way. She'll have to learn on her own about the exercise and diet thing. And yes, I have mentioned low carbing to her. Her response was, "I DO eat a low carb diet." It's one of those "low carb diabetic diets" that guarantees degeneration.

[keywstdame]

I think exercise is in the "use it or lose it" category. You need to be up and about and doing things and not be sedentary. It keeps you supple and makes use of you body. It, however, does not make you lose weight.

[amberview]

I think the public has been mislead. I don't think you have to do heavy cardio everyday to be in shape. I'm in favor and a lot of professional trainers are more in favor of strength training for at least 75% of any work out.

[FenwayGuy]

I have a simple formula. Strength train as much as is necessary without overtraining AND do higher intensity interval training for your cardio. Myself, I often will also go for long, easy walks or a long, easy swim at my local pool.

Do not be scared off by the high intensity thing. Google TABATA and you will find no limit to the number of ways that you can use this wonderful way of training. Even just brisk walking can be adapted to this way of training.

I agree with the general sentiments expressed here. People are plain burnt out from the "advice" they have gotten over the years as to how much exercise is really necessary.

[waywardsis]

HIIT is fun...and fast. I can do my weights and cardio in 40 minutes (and only 10 of it is cardio! woo ha)

[PS Diva]

HIIT is funWhat is HIIT?

[Demokat]

What is HIIT?

High Intensity Interval Training. Google that and you'll find lots of information. :)

It works-I do it too.

[kebaldwin]

I remember getting into an argument with some posters on a low carb message board (I don't think it was this one) where they were trying to convince a 350 pound (obese) man that he needed to start running.

I butted in and said that their idea was ridiculous. All the pounding on his joints would tear him up in just weeks. They jumped down my throat. I went on to point out that a 350 pound person walking burns more calories per hour than a 150 pound person jogging.

But they still insisted on this man running ...

[HunterMan]

Ol'Time weight lifters presumably used to eat lots of food and managed to stay lean, their workouts averaged around 15-30 min. Their diets must have been low in carbs (steak and eggs)

[kebaldwin]

Ol'Time weight lifters presumably used to eat lots of food and managed to stay lean, their workouts averaged around 15-30 min. Their diets must have been low in carbs (steak and eggs)

Growing up the "strong men" use to tell us to eat all the raw eggs we could handle and eat lots of meat. A recipe that has probably been handed down for thousands of years.