Heart Care
Boost Your Health with Active CommutingIf you're tired of sitting in rush hour traffic, a new study offers motivation to pedal or walk your way to work instead. Researchers analyzed the commuting habits of more than 2,300 men and women. They found that close to 17 percent were active commuters - those who walked or biked for at least part of their commute. These active commuters were more physically fit than those who didn't use foot power. The active men in particular were less likely to be overweight and had healthier triglyceride, blood pressure and insulin levels - all factors that cut heart disease risk.
More research is needed to determine how much activity is required to reap the physical benefits of active commuting. Participants varied in how many minutes and miles they logged on their commute. However, the study adds to growing research demonstrating active commuting can help ward off heart disease and help keep you slimmer and healthier when added to an overall exercise regimen.
Below are some tips to get you started on an active commute:
It's not always possible to use foot power alone to get to and from work. But you can still work health-boosting exercise into your daily commute. Walk or bike to a train station or bus stop and take public transportation from there. If you already ride a bus or train, get off a few stops early. Or, park your car a few blocks from your building and walk the rest of the way. Want tips on how to get more active? Then check out the fitness section of Club Red, the University of Virginia Health System's heart-health initiative for women. Learn more about the services available at UVA's Heart & Vascular Center by visiting www.uvahealth.com. Always consult your physician for more information. Online Resources(Our organization is not responsible for the content of Internet sites.) American Heart Association - Just Move Program American Heart Association - Physical Activity in Your Daily Life Archives of Internal Medicine - Active Commuting and Cardiovascular Disease Risk |
Celebrate Midlife with More FitnessEven if you weren't very active when you were younger, starting an exercise program later in life still can help your heart. Doctors in one study asked more than 700 people ages 40 to 68 about their activity levels since they were 20. More than 300 of them had existing heart disease. People who were "couch potatoes" during their 20s and 30s but started exercising in their 40s, or even later, cut their risk for heart disease in half. These exercisers had lower heart risks than people who were active before 40 but then stopped exercising. Always consult your physician for more information. |