Frequent light-intensity activity ‘can reduce mortality risk’

New research from the US has demonstrated the tangible benefits of engaging in frequent short bursts of light-intensity activity in terms of mortality risk.

Carried out by the University of Utah and published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, the study examined 3,243 participants who wore accelerometers to objectively measure the intensity of their activities and were then followed for three years.

It was found that there was no benefit associated with decreasing sitting by two minutes each hour and adding a corresponding two minutes more of low-intensity activities, such as standing.

However, swapping the two minutes of sitting for light-intensity activities such as casual walking, light gardening and cleaning was associated with a 33 percent lower risk of dying.

This could be an important discovery, given the established link between sedentary lifestyles and an increased mortality risk.

Senior author Dr Tom Greene, director of the Study Design and Biostatistics Center at the Center for Clinical and Translational Science, said: "Exercise is great, but the reality is that the practical amount of vigorous exercise that can be achieved is limited. Our study suggests that even small changes can have a big impact."