Can’t schedule enough time at the gym to get those 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week? That’s okay—according to a new study, those five minutes here and there actually matter and add up.
Researchers published in the American Journal of Health Promotion found their data by examining the 2003-06 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Looking at 4,511 adults who had their BMIs measured and who wore and accelerometer to track their movement, the researchers found that short bouts of exercise, even a minute or two, contributed to the recommended 150 minutes per week in terms of making an impact on BMI.
So, the next time you’re skipping the gym to work late, don’t hesitate to take the stairs instead of the escalator at the subway—every little bit really helps.
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Photo courtesy of Mike Baird.
