|
Number of Calories Burned is Key Says
the Harvard Heart Letter
The guidelines regarding just how much weekly exercise is
needed for optimal health seem to be a moving target. To ease the
confusion, the July issue of the Harvard Heart Letter suggests
concentrating on the number of calories burned.
Although there is debate about how long you need to exercise
for good health, most experts acknowledge that burning calories is
the means to maintaining a healthy weight. According to a recent
Harvard study, burning an extra 700-2,000 calories a week through
some form of dynamic exercise garners significant health benefits.
The amount of calories burned during a workout depends on a
person's weight, and the intensity and duration of the activity.
The Harvard Heart Letter suggests finding benchmarks for various
activities based on your weight. Then, by adjusting the three
dimensions of exercise -- intensity, duration, and frequency --
you can choose activities that suit your lifestyle.
Here are a few benchmarks, all given for a 155-pound person:
* Walking briskly (at 4 miles per hour) for 30 minutes burns 150
calories.
* Heavy cleaning for 45 minutes burns 250 calories.
* An hour of singles tennis burns 300 calories.
Keep in mind, intensity does make a difference. Brief sessions
of an intense activity can burn the same number of calories as
longer or more frequent sessions of a less intense one.
Subscribers to the Harvard Heart Letter can find a list of
calories burned for a variety of exercises for people of three
different weights at http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart
As for exercise options, the choices are endless. For an
inexpensive and accessible option, the Harvard Heart Letter opts
for walking. Dozens of studies show that walking can prevent or
help control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
If you'd rather get your exercise in a club, the treadmill is a
good bet for burning calories.
The Harvard Heart Letter is available from Harvard Health
Publications, the publishing division of the Harvard Medical
School. You can subscribe to Harvard Heart Letter for $28 per year
at http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart
or by calling 1-877-649-9457 toll-free.
Media: contact Christine Junge at Christine_Junge@hms.harvard.edu
for a complimentary copy of the newsletter, or to receive our
press releases directly.
Source: Harvard Health Publications,
BOSTON, June 29 /PRNewswire/ --
CONTACT: Christine Junge of Harvard Health Publications,
+1-617-432-4717,
Christine_Junge@hms.harvard.edu
Web site: http://www.health.harvard.edu/
|