Getting up from your computer screen for a five-minute walk every half-hour can help keep your heart healthy.
These short breaks are enough to counter the effects of prolonged sitting; they lower blood sugar levels and reduce blood pressure, say researchers from the Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
The half-hour break was the most effective of five approaches the researchers tested on 11 participants, who were asked to sit for eight hours. They either had to sit without moving at all or were asked to walk for various periods and during different hourly schedules while their blood pressure and glucose levels were measured.
The best results were achieved by walking for five minutes every 30 minutes; the exercise also improved mood and reduced fatigue.
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