Exercise Stress Test: Measure of Fitness and Mortality Risk
A 10-minute walking stress test can give important information about health risks to those middle aged and older. The test measures cardiorespiratory fitness, or how well the lungs, heart, and blood vessels work together.
Preventative medicine expert Dr Timothy Church, recently told CNN, "Fitness is just simply as powerful a risk factor as there is." I think that's a pretty bold statement, and one we would do well to pay attention to.
In fact, a recent study from the Tsukuba Institute of Clinical Medicine in Ibaraki, Japan, found that good cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with a lower risk of death from all causes. And, while being very fit lowers your risk even further, just 30 minutes of walking per day can be protective for most people.
So, why aren't more doctors prescribing fitness as a remedy for what ails us?
Well, after Dr Church commented that fitness is the risk factor to watch for, he went on to say this about exercise testing: "It's expensive, it's not easy to do, it requires special equipment, and physicians these days don't even have time to talk about exercise in general, let alone do exercise tests on everybody."
While I'll acknowledge that not everyone can have an exercise stress test, I'm dismayed that doctors don't "have time" to talk about exercise. Exactly how long does it take to remind patients they should be walking 30 minutes per day, most days of the week? Heck...put up a few signs in the waiting room at least!
Fitness is a personal responsibility to be sure. But, it's such a simple tool to help reduce health risks, it's amazing that more health practitioners aren't pushing it.
Here are 5 simple ways to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise today:
- Take a Hike: It's perhaps the easiest way to get fit - all you need is a decent pair of shoes. Walk like you're late for the bus, and your pace should be just about right.
- Swimming: It is summer after all. Swim laps at your local pool, or look for a water aerobics class.
- Bicycling: Rails-to-trails routes are paved and traffic-free, or go off road if that suits your style better.
- Clean: Yep, housework counts. But not if you stroll around with a feather duster. Crank up the music and break a sweat while you scrub. Same goes for gardening too.
- Plug It In: Like a more structured routine? Put on an exercise DVD. I like Leslie Sansone's Walking Away the Pounds series, perfect even for beginners.
Remember, you don't have to be an athlete to reap the benefits of physical fitness. You just need to exercise consistently.
12 Comments
Add Your Comment
ADVERTISING
New
- FROM DIET BLOG
- On-Off Fasting: Does It Work?
- 400 Calorie Fix
- 5 Factor World Diet
- Quick Giveaway: Powerhouse Weight Loss Game
- FORUM
- Low Carb Atkins Diet- Tips to Cut the Carbs.
- How Can I Gain a Healthy Weight and Keep it?
- How Do I Eat Healthy at University?
- Starving Myself and Exercising, But Not Losing an Ounce?
Categories
| Body Image Celebrities Diet Pills Diets Exercise |
Fast Food Funny Stuff Success Stories Teens and Kids Tips and Tools |
RSS Feed
Follow @DietBlog on Twitter
It isn't an issue of time at all, at least in my practice. Patients don't really want to hear it. How many "build the exercise habit" or "simple ways to start exercising" has dietblog run? It is the same issue. No matter how often the most fundamental fact of exercise is harped on, there is a sizable population of people that want the quick fix that regular appropriately cardiovascular exercise isn't and simply never will be.
ReplyThere is no shortcut to losing weight. No pain no gain.
ReplyEveryone can fit in a 30 min. walk. Doctors should not even have to tell people. It is common sense. Even the biggest, dumbest person knows this deep inside their brain. I am speaking for myself.
ReplyWhen I weighed 300 pounds the last thing I wanted my doctor to talk about was exercise - and he didn't! One time he said I may want to consider walking after dinner, but he ignored the subject like the proverbial "elephant in the room."
Once I lost all my weight and got healthy I grew to appreciate and enjoy exercise. Thanks for the good tips.
ReplyCharles, the article mentioned nothing about weight. I think the automatic reaction to equate weight loss with exercise often does more harm than good. 30 minutes of exercise daily, without major calorie restriction, won't lead to significant weight loss. But it's still essential for cardiovascular fitness, and it's a good idea for everyone - fat and thin - to do.
Too many people think of exercise purely as a means to change their weight, and therefore stop when they don't see the results they hoped for. If we stop using BMI as the most important indicator of fitness, we may see more people embracing exercise for all the benefits it offers.
ReplyIt's all about making fitness fun! I love the cycling, swimming and hiking suggestions! You don't have to spend mind numbing sessions on the treadmill staring at the wall. Grab the dog, the kids and the spouse and get outside for fun, healthy family time!
ReplyI'm thinking many medicos can't preach fitness 'cause they don't go to that church!
I love my treadmill. It keeps me at the designated beats per minute, not too much not too little. it works me for as long as i say. i never have to look at the buttons, I just read or watch TV until the beeps signal "You did it girl!" . I use a giant rubber band to hold my book flat and steady and get good reading in. Or I watch highlights on Sports Center and feel like I'm training for the big game.
ReplyIf you like the indoors, as much as some people like "getting out" then set up your treadmill in a place that support regular use, not in the laundry room! My aunt has hers in the living room of her condo! Mine is in the "media room" ....ok the family room :)
I agree with Shauna, at least tell people to get out & have fun. It is all about finding a food & exercise program that works for you & that you can live with for life. Find things you like to do & get moving if exercise is such a bad word for you.
On doctors... I think they should tell people these things whether they want to hear them or not. At least they put it on the table. Also, resistance training.. so important & even more so as we age. People's inability to want to hear this is a problem as the lady mentioned above but I think it should be said no matter what!
ReplyGreat tips! I think it's making sure you do something everyday. I liked #4. I am not a big fan of housework, but you can really work up a sweat. We have a yard with a lot of pavers and I sweep them every other day. It's great for the arms and upper body.
Another favorite is playing a game of chasings with the kids. :)
ReplyMy doctor doesn't talk to me much about exercise because she knows I work out more than she does, LOL. But she does tell me that it's obviously keeping me in great health and encourages me to keep it up. My old doctor was into sports medicine and he was always encouraging me to run and do what I liked to stay fit. He was also my parents' doctor and even though my parents were not exactly the exercising types, he still always stressed the importance of at least getting a walk in every day. Sadly, there are a lot of people out there that really just do NOT like/want to work out AT ALL. Still, doctors should still at least try to get through to them...it doesn't hurt to bring it up, even if the patients don't want to listen.
ReplyI'm proud to say that plenty of people haven't listened to me when I've suggested health related changes that they can make in their lifestyles.
It's very rewarding, however, feeling that I have helped those who do.
I'm glad you have had doctors that have encouraged you. I had one like that as a growing child also. One of several reasons I went this career path.
Reply