My very wise professor Dr. Karl Knopf always said we needed to re-frame the word exercise, to reflect the incredible benefits that come not necessarily from going to the gym and "WORKING OUT", but really just from getting up and moving. This is especially true for people who are inactive.
Research suggests that minimal-intensity, longer-duration physical activity may be best for insulin action and plasma lipids. The study, published in PLoS ONE (2013; 8 [2]; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055542), included 18 apparently healthy subjects around 21 years of age. Each participant was randomly selected to follow one of three protocols.
Insulin sensitivity and plasma lipids improved in the minimal-intensity exercise group. There appeared to be no differences between the inactive group and the vigorous-intensity group.
“One hour of physical exercise cannot compensate for the negative effects of inactivity on insulin sensitivity and plasma lipids if the rest of the day is spent sitting,” the authors added. “Reducing inactivity by low-intensity activities such as walking at a leisurely pace and standing is more effective than physical exercise in improving these parameters in sedentary subjects.”
Research suggests that minimal-intensity, longer-duration physical activity may be best for insulin action and plasma lipids. The study, published in PLoS ONE (2013; 8 [2]; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055542), included 18 apparently healthy subjects around 21 years of age. Each participant was randomly selected to follow one of three protocols.
Insulin sensitivity and plasma lipids improved in the minimal-intensity exercise group. There appeared to be no differences between the inactive group and the vigorous-intensity group.
“One hour of physical exercise cannot compensate for the negative effects of inactivity on insulin sensitivity and plasma lipids if the rest of the day is spent sitting,” the authors added. “Reducing inactivity by low-intensity activities such as walking at a leisurely pace and standing is more effective than physical exercise in improving these parameters in sedentary subjects.”