Sedentary adults sometimes don't exercise because they believe they can't do enough to make a difference. It's an established fact that regular exercise has health benefits. As most people would admit, especially those with a sedentary lifestyle, it's hard to commit to the current recommended level of exercise - 30 minutes of moderately strenuous exercise at least 5 days a week.

Here's the good news. A new study, published in the September 2007 Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, has shown that lower levels of exercise can also be beneficial. There were 106 sedentary, but otherwise healthy, adults between the age of 40 and 61 years old in the 12-week study. Participants were randomly assigned to:

• 30 minutes brisk walking three days a week
• 30 minutes brisk walking five days a week
• a non-walking group serving as the control

The walking groups had to walk in bouts of at least 10 minutes. Researchers discovered significant improvement in systolic blood pressure as well as waist and hip measurements in both of the walking groups. Diastolic blood pressure improved in the five-day walking group. Functional capacity improved in both walking groups. No changes were noted in the non-walking group. Due to physical limitations, arthritis patients often get discouraged regarding their ability to exercise. This study suggests that some exercise is better than none at all, since even lower levels of exercise yield health benefits.

Related Resources:

• Exercise: Essential Treatment for Arthritis
• How to Exercise When You Have Arthritis
• How Do Arthritis Patients Perceive Exercise?
• How Much Exercise Do You Need? And What Kind?
• Over One-Third of People With Arthritis Get No Exercise

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