 |
|
Killer stairs? Taking the elevator could be worse for your body
March 19, 2008In new JAMA study, Mizzou researcher finds that lack of regular physical activity could be a cause of many diseases; effects could start within 2 weeks
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- For years, scientists have been proclaiming the benefits of exercise. Studies showing that regular exercise benefits human health have exploded in number, examining many health problems ranging from cancer and diabetes to arthritis and pre-mature death.
Now, a University of Missouri researcher has found direct evidence to support the claim of the Centers for Disease Control that a reduction in daily physical activity is an actual cause of many of the risk factors for chronic diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The research team also found that it only takes about two weeks of reduced activity for individuals to start noticing the effects. The study is being published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) this week.
"A low level of daily physical activity not only doesn't help your current health status, it could be the reason you got sick in the first place," said Frank Booth, professor of biomedical sciences in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. "Our study looked at what happened when a group of individuals reduced their daily physical activity. Our findings indicated that if there is a lack of normal physical activity, a person greatly increases the chances of developing a chronic disease. Previously, we thought that not exercising just wasn't healthy, but we didn't think that a lack of activity could cause disease. That assumption was wrong."
Booth and researchers at the University of Copenhagen conducted two different studies in Copenhagen. In the first study, participants were asked to reduce the amount of steps they took per day from 6,000 to 1,400 for three weeks. Instead of walking or taking the stairs, participants were instructed to use motorized transportation, such as a car or elevator, in every situation possible.
The second study asked participants who were more active, averaging 10,000 steps per day, to reduce their activity to 1,400 steps per day for two weeks. The number of steps the average American adult takes per day is 7,473, although Americans who are inactive typically take about 2,100 steps each day.
At the end of each study, participants were administered a glucose tolerance test or a fat tolerance test, or both. These tests measure how fast the body is able to clear glucose or fat from the blood stream. The researchers found that after two weeks of no exercise and very little activity, participants had much higher levels of glucose and fat and took a much longer time to clear the substances from their blood streams than before. The longer it takes the body to clear the blood stream of the substances, the higher the likelihood that a person will develop diabetes or other chronic diseases.
"We used to think that it is healthy to be physically active, but this study shows that it is dangerous to be inactive for just a couple of weeks," said Bente Klarlund Pedersen, co-author and lead investigator of the study and professor of internal medicine and director of Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism at the University of Copenhagen. "After 14 days of reduced stepping, subjects experienced accumulation of the dangerous abdominal fat, while also developing elevated blood-lipids, a sign of -pre-diabetes and cardiovascular disease. If you choose the passive mode of transport and abstain from exercise, than your risk of chronic disease is likely to increase markedly."
"When the doctor says to go and exercise, they are not just telling patients to do that to improve their health; increasing daily stepping could actually reverse a cause of chronic disease," Booth said. "When extra fats and sugars (glucose) don't clear the bloodstream, they go where we don't want them and cause problems for our bodies' typical metabolic functions."
The researchers also found that the total skeletal and muscle mass in the body decreased when the lack of activity decreased. Booth says that longer studies are needed to help answer more questions about the detrimental effects of long-term physical inactivity.
University of Missouri-Columbia
"A low level of daily physical activity not only doesn't help your current health status, it could be the reason you got sick in the first place," said Frank Booth, professor of biomedical sciences in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. "Our study looked at what happened when a group of individuals reduced their daily physical activity. Our findings indicated that if there is a lack of normal physical activity, a person greatly increases the chances of developing a chronic disease. Previously, we thought that not exercising just wasn't healthy, but we didn't think that a lack of activity could cause disease. That assumption was wrong."
Booth and researchers at the University of Copenhagen conducted two different studies in Copenhagen. In the first study, participants were asked to reduce the amount of steps they took per day from 6,000 to 1,400 for three weeks. Instead of walking or taking the stairs, participants were instructed to use motorized transportation, such as a car or elevator, in every situation possible.
The second study asked participants who were more active, averaging 10,000 steps per day, to reduce their activity to 1,400 steps per day for two weeks. The number of steps the average American adult takes per day is 7,473, although Americans who are inactive typically take about 2,100 steps each day.
At the end of each study, participants were administered a glucose tolerance test or a fat tolerance test, or both. These tests measure how fast the body is able to clear glucose or fat from the blood stream. The researchers found that after two weeks of no exercise and very little activity, participants had much higher levels of glucose and fat and took a much longer time to clear the substances from their blood streams than before. The longer it takes the body to clear the blood stream of the substances, the higher the likelihood that a person will develop diabetes or other chronic diseases.
"We used to think that it is healthy to be physically active, but this study shows that it is dangerous to be inactive for just a couple of weeks," said Bente Klarlund Pedersen, co-author and lead investigator of the study and professor of internal medicine and director of Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism at the University of Copenhagen. "After 14 days of reduced stepping, subjects experienced accumulation of the dangerous abdominal fat, while also developing elevated blood-lipids, a sign of -pre-diabetes and cardiovascular disease. If you choose the passive mode of transport and abstain from exercise, than your risk of chronic disease is likely to increase markedly."
"When the doctor says to go and exercise, they are not just telling patients to do that to improve their health; increasing daily stepping could actually reverse a cause of chronic disease," Booth said. "When extra fats and sugars (glucose) don't clear the bloodstream, they go where we don't want them and cause problems for our bodies' typical metabolic functions."
The researchers also found that the total skeletal and muscle mass in the body decreased when the lack of activity decreased. Booth says that longer studies are needed to help answer more questions about the detrimental effects of long-term physical inactivity.
University of Missouri-Columbia
Physical Activity Current Events and Physical Activity News RSSRecommendations for children's exercise lacking say experts
Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth, UK, have carried out research that suggests the one hour of moderate exercise a day recommended to children from health experts may not be enough to tackle the rising problem of childhood obesity.
Guidelines urge physical activity during pregnancy
Moderate physical activity during pregnancy does not contribute to low birth weight, premature birth or miscarriage and may actually reduce the risk of complications, according to a Michigan State University professor who contributed to the U.S. government's first-ever guidelines on physical activity.
Incorporating Education in Exercise Programs Increases Benefits for Arthritis Patients, MU Researchers Find
Arthritis is the nation's most common cause of disability. The number of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis is projected to increase to 67 million by 2030, and a large proportion of U.S. adults will limit their activity as a result.
How much are you really exercising?
People struggling with obesity often underestimate how many calories they are actually consuming, which can hinder weight loss efforts. It should follow that the same person would overestimate the amount of exercise they're doing, right?
Mental barriers hamper obese women's efforts to get exercise
For arachnophobes, it's difficult to kill a spider as it scurries across the floor. Those who are scared to fly might not ever set foot on a plane. While nothing physically stops people with these aversions, a mental barrier can keep them from the task at hand.
Walking forum report shows need to expand physical activity in schools
With childhood obesity expanding to epidemic proportions in the United States, educators, researchers and health practitioners are actively seeking to identify effective means of addressing this public-health crisis.
New study indicates link between weight gains during pregnancy and dieting history
Women who have a history of dieting or other restricted eating practices are at risk of gaining an inappropriate amount of weight during pregnancy.
Mental health intervention urged for heart patients
Heart patients are particularly vulnerable to depression and should be screened, and if necessary treated, to improve their recovery and overall health, according to a scientific advisory issued Monday by the American Heart Association and co-authored by a Yale School of Public Health researcher.
Occupational therapy gets people with osteoarthritis moving
Physical activity is the cornerstone of any healthy lifestyle - and especially for people with osteoarthritis as exercise helps maintain good joint health, manage their symptoms, and prevent functional decline. Osteoarthritis, however, often makes physical activity, such as exercise, and even performing daily activities, a challenge.
Racial disparities decline for cancer in Missouri
Cancer death rates in the United States are highest among African Americans, but a new report shows that in Missouri the disparity in cancer incidence and death between African Americans and whites is declining.
More Physical Activity Current Events and Physical Activity News Articles
 | Research Methods In Physical Activity by Jerry R. Thomas, Jack K. Nelson, Stephen J. Silverman Many students fear and loathe research methods classes, which conjure up images of musty, dusty books, boredom, and confusion. Students have a welcome surprise waiting for them with Research Methods in Physical Activity, Fifth Edition, as the text effortlessly guides them through the research process. This latest edition of this internationally recognized textbook does not rest on its laurels... |
 | Physical Activity Instruction Of Older Adults Physical Activity Instruction of Older Adults is the first book to detail the fundamental knowledge and skills associated with the training modules outlined in the International Curriculum Guidelines for Preparing Physical Activity Instructors of Older Adults. The curriculum guidelines, published in 2004, were developed by an international coalition of senior fitness specialists. Physical... |
 | Ready-To-Use P. E. Activities for Grades K-2 (Ready-To-Use Physical Education Activities) by Joanne M. Landy, Maxwell J. Landy A complete, sequential curriculum for grades K-9 boys and girls, More than 1,600 activities to improve physical fitness, promote sportsmanship, develop social skills, and build self-esteem. This volume covers... |
 | Physical Activities for Improving Children's Learning and Behavior by Billye Ann Cheatum, Allison A. Hammond Fewer things cause more concern for parents and teachers than a child who appears to have a learning problem or behavior disorder. It is even more difficult when no specific cause or reason for the problem is given. Now, with the help of Physical Activities for Improving Children’s Learning and Behavior, you can learn about the possible underlying causes for a child’s difficulty and select... |
 | Physical Activity And Health Sedentary habits have been identified as a major public health problem in many countries. The timely Physical Activity and Health addresses an unmet need by providing a comprehensive treatment of the relationship between physical activity and health outcomes. Physical Activity and Health is the first textbook to bring together the results of the most important studies in this rapidly changing... |
 | Ready-To-Use P.E. Activities for Grades 7-9 (Complete Physical Education Activities Program) by Joanne M. Landy, Maxwell J. Landy A complete, sequential curriculum for grades K-9 boys and girls, More than 1,600 activities to improve physical fitness, promote sportsmanship, develop social skills, and build self-esteem. This volume covers grades... |
 | Physical Best Activity Guide: Elementary Level by National Association for Sport and Physi Through the new Physical Best Activity Guide: Elementary Level, Second Edition, teachers can do the following: • Implement ready-to-use activities based on the latest national guidelines from NASPE • Provide appropriate activities for students of all abilities • Save time and program funds by using reproducibles from the CD-ROM This revised activity guide provides a comprehensive... |
 | Physical Education Activity Handbook, The (11th Edition) (Physical Education Activity Handbook Series) by Neil Schmottlach, Jerre McManama KEY BENEFIT: The Physical Education Activity Handbook, Eleventh Edition provides existing and future physical education teachers with the content knowledge and teaching techniques they need to offer their students a chance to learn a wide range of engaging activities. More than 40 activities are explained, with essential information such as equipment, rules, skills and techniques, teaching and... |
 | Adapted Physical Activity, Recreation and Sport with Powerweb Bind-in Passcard by Claudine Sherrill Offering the most comprehensive coverage available and broadening the audience scope to include students majoring in exercise science or coaching who are preparing for nonteaching positions, this new edition features a lifespan, cross-disciplinary approach valuable for both teaching and non-teaching professionals. Adapted Physical Activity, Recreation, and Sport emphasizes attitude change,... |
 | Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective. by World Cancer Research Fund / American Institute for Cancer Research The Second Expert Report, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective offers the most up-to-date recommendations for individuals and populations. They are based on the conclusions of an expert panel that certain foods, drinks and lifestyle choices protect against or lead to the development of one or more types of cancer. Additionally, the report explains... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |