New research has revealed surprising things about good health. According to research, a person should do at least four hours of physical activity (light, moderate or vigorous) throughout the day and should also get at least eight hours of sleep at night.
In this research, researchers have said that light physical activity does not mean just exercising. This also includes everyday activities like household chores and cooking. At the same time, moderate and vigorous exercise means brisk walking or working out in the gym.
The international research team, led by Australia's Swinburne University of Technology, analyzed the behavior of more than two thousand people over the course of 24 hours. The aim of this analysis was to find out what should be the right ratio of time spent sitting, sleeping, standing and doing physical activity for good health.
What is the expert's opinion?
Christian Breckenridge, lead author of the study, says the analysis included a variety of health indicators and overall suggests a 24-hour period is essential for good health. Breckenridge says different ratios of physical activity, sitting and sleep time may be better for every health indicator, from waist size to fasting glucose levels. For example, researchers found that reducing sitting time and getting more physical activity or light movement improved blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
What happens when you change activities?
The study also considered how replacing one activity with another affected a person's entire day. Breckenridge said that if increased sleep time reduces exercise time, it could be harmful to health, but if increased sleep time reduces inactive sitting time, it could be beneficial. Although exercise is more beneficial, it is also important to use time in a practical and balanced way. Researchers say that some people may recommend more exercise, but exercising for 10 hours and sitting for zero hours is not practical. The study applies to healthy adults, but the researchers also acknowledge that every person's situation is different and that physical activity should be fun.