Some exercise – even in small doses – is better than nothing at all, say East Carolina University researchers and updated guidelines for physical activity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“People have the idea that you have to engage in physical activity for a long time, like 30 minutes, and if you cannot do that then it is not worth it. We have an all-or- nothing mentality,” said Dr. Bhibha Das, assistant professor of kinesiology in the College of Health and Human Performance.
But the second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans released Nov. 12 shows some activity – even a few minutes at a time – provides health benefits and is better than being sedentary. Nationally, 8 percent of preventable deaths are caused by physical inactivity, according to the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
Originally published Jan. 17, 2019.