Women trying to lose weight can benefit as much from a moderate physical activity as from an intense workout, according to a study supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health.
Prior studies had focused on short-term weight loss. Data were lacking about the optimal degree and amount of physical activity for long-term weight loss.
The study – "Effect of Exercise Dose and Intensity on Weight Loss in Overweight, Sedentary Women: A Randomized Trial" – appeared in The Journal of the American Medical Association.
Reduces Breast Cancer Risk Too
Another study, based on data from the Women's Health Initiative's Observational Study, found that increased physical activity was associated with a reduced risk for breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Longer duration physical activity gave the most benefit. But the physical activity did not need to be strenuous to reduce breast cancer risk.
How Much Exercise?
The exercise dose and intensity trial involved 201 overweight but otherwise healthy women ages 21 to 45. All received reduced-calorie meals in addition to being randomly assigned to one of four physical activity regimens, which varied by intensity and duration. The regimens consisted of either a moderate- or vigorous- intensity physical activity performed for either a shorter (2 to 3 hours per week) or longer (3 to 5 hours per week) duration. The physical activity consisted primarily of brisk walking, and the regimens used about 1,000 or 2,000 calories per week.
Women in all four groups lost a significant amount of weight – 13 to 20 pounds – and maintained their weight loss for a year. They also improved their cardiorespiratory fitness. However, the amount of weight lost or fitness improvement was the same among the four groups. |
