Engaging in physical activity is beneficial, regardless of the form it takes. This was emphasized by panelists during a discussion at the Chan School on Thursday, which focused on the advantages of staying active and moving away from the “no pain, no gain” mentality.
Meagan Wasfy, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, explained that wearable fitness technology has helped researchers study a wider range of activities. She noted, “The heart — and also the whole body — doesn’t know what shoes you have on your feet.”
Joining Wasfy in the “Reframing Exercise” discussion were Mia Sanchez, a marathon runner with an environmental health background, Brooke Forde, an Olympic swimmer and Chan School project coordinator, and I-Min Lee, a professor of epidemiology and medicine. Sanchez and Forde shared their experiences transitioning from intense training to more casual exercise, highlighting that fitness doesn’t have to be painful. Sanchez reflected on finding new forms of exercise, such as playing soccer or volleyball, after a stress fracture.
The panel pointed out that while physical activity supports weight maintenance, it is not the most effective method for losing weight. Nonetheless, exercise contributes to better health among individuals with obesity. I-Min Lee mentioned the importance of regular physical activity, emphasizing that present habits outweigh past athletic endeavors. She stated that those who remain active now, regardless of previous inactivity, fare better health-wise.
The panelists recommended the government guideline of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly, and discussed the 10,000 steps a day target. They noted that for older adults, benefits begin to decrease after 6,000 steps, though the social and psychological advantages may continue. For those less active, health improvements start with as little as 500 to 1,000 steps. Wasfy concluded, “What’s important for the health benefits is the total dose. The details don’t matter quite as much.”
Original Source: news.harvard.edu
