Six-Day Exercise Recommendations

New guidelines from the American Heart Association are recommending that Americans exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week. Previous recommendations were for 30 minutes three times a week. The new recommendations aim to help prevent risk of heart attack and stroke.

Dr Dennis Sprecher, in charge of preventative cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation is concerned about the practicalities of the recommendations. "Six days of exercise is better than three days...[but if people think] they need to exercise six days instead of three, they may decide it is too difficult to even attempt".

The AHA recommends exercise should be fairly vigorous, but advise against working too hard. "We want people to still be able to talk while they are working out. We don't want people exercising to the point of exhaustion".

While regular exercise is important, previous studies have suggested that gentle exercise regimes such as yoga may be more beneficial in promoting general health. Even activities such as gardening and vigorous walking can help reduce the risk of heart attack.

A spokesperson from Bromley Health Management commented, "Exercise is like dieting. You need to find a programme that suits your attitude and lifestyle and suits you physically. Above all, you have to enjoy it".

Thursday, 1 November 2001