Columbia University Irving Medical Center
A new study from Columbia University and an international team of researchers identifies multiple ways to achieve the same health benefits from exercise-as long as the exercise “cocktail” includes plenty of light physical activity.
“For decades, we’ve been telling people that the way to stay healthy is to get at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week,” says Keith Diaz, PhD, assistant professor of behavioral medicine and director of the exercise testing laboratory at the Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
“But even if you’re one of the few adults who can stick to this advice, 30 minutes represents just 2% of your entire day,” says Diaz. “Is it really possible that our activity habits for just 2% of the day is all that matters when it comes to health?”