Very Few People Actually Exercise Vigorously

Of course we all undertake some physical activity every day, don’t we?  The true answer is probably “no!” – even though we know how important it is to do so.  Just this week research was reported showing that seniors who exercise vigorously during their lifetime maintain high levels of physical work capacity and thereby better quality of life, even at advanced ages.  Now there’s evidence that shockingly few people undertake any vigorous activity;  the data were obtained by the American Time Use Survey, and published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The telephone-based survey involved asking people what they were doing during the previous 24 hours while they were not working or sleeping.  Activity was categorized as sedentary, light, moderate, or vigorous.

Between 2003 and 2008 almost 80,000 people over 20 were surveyed.  In any given 24-hour period, 96% of them engaged in sedentary activities (these included eating and drinking, and watching TV or movies.  70% to 80% spent time washing, grooming, dressing, and driving a vehicle – classified as light activities.  Kitchen work and gardening were the most frequent moderate activities, undertaken by 26% and 11%, respectively.  Finally, vigorous activity, such as using gym equipment or running, was reported by 5% of people.   

Let’s be clear.  The results are disappointing, when we know that strenuous exercise is so beneficial.  But it doesn’t have to be gym time or miles run.  Vigorous activity includes many enjoyable or non-boring activities –swimming, bicycling, aerobic dancing, skating, rowing, skiing, backpacking, soccer, basketball, and so on.  It’s not too late to make a start.