Many studies recommend staying active, by walking or running at least thirty minutes a day, in order to stay healthy and prevent certain diseases. But this study brings a new angle, and explains that it is not the duration that counts, but the intensity of the exercise.
Danish researchers from Bispebjerg University in Copenhagen studied data on more than 10,000 adults of all ages, whom they followed for ten years.
Their results showed that fast walkers and joggers who practiced their sport for two to four hours a week were half as likely to develop health problems that could lead to heart disease or diabetes. In particular, these patients protected themselves from a strong blood pressurea high blood sugar level and also a surplus of abdominal fat.
In contrast, participants who used to walk at moderate speed for one hour a day did not reduce their risk of developing metabolic syndrome and did not protect themselves from heart disease.
