(NEW YORK) — A new study reveals that everyday activities can be just as beneficial as going to the gym, Health Day reports.
Researchers discovered that an active lifestyle appeared to be just as effective as structured exercise in providing health benefits such as preventing high cholesterol, high blood pressure and risks for coronary artery disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Short stretches of physical activity, like raking leaves, taking the stairs or pacing while talking on the phone instead of sitting, could all be just as beneficial as a trip to the gym, Health Day says.
The researchers also discovered that 43 percents of adults who did short stretches of physical activity met the federal physical guidelines of 30 minutes of daily exercise, according to Health Day.
The study was published in the January/Februrary issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion.
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