45 min./day,4 days a week = 30 min./day/6 days a week?

KP1970

45 min./day,4 days a week = 30 min./day/6 days a week?

KP1970

I remember reading somewhere that women who have had breast cancer can cut their risk of recurrence by 50%, just by exercising 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week. That amounts to 180 minutes, or 3 hours. Do you think you can reap the same benefit if you exercise 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week? Or is it better to get some physical activity every day?? I read that in a study, there was no advantage to exercising more than 180 minutes per week, as far as cutting down the recurrence risk (of course, it is still good for the heart and overall health)! Thoughts?

AnneW

Well, I still think it's a crap shoot (grin) but exercise can make you feel so darned good, does it really matter? I think the 30 min/6 days a week is given becuase shorter intervals may be more doable. I have read about benefits from hour-long intervals.

Get what you can, when you can. I was doing 4-6 hours/week till my recent surgery. Felt great. And better than when I just got half an hour a day.

Maybe someone up on the research can tell you more. I say, "Have a blast!"

Anne

Anonymous

I totally agree with Anne that you should exercise as often and for as long as you'd like to, assuming that you don't have an eating or body image disorder. In my opinion, enjoying your workouts is more important than restricting them based on a research study's recommendation. And figure it this way....whether you exercise every day for 30 minutes or 4 times a week for 45 minutes to an hour, you'll still be doing far more than more than 75% of the US population. Nothing can be wrong with that!

~Marin

paige-allyson

There is a lot of research support out there supporting there being a substantial reduction in risk of recurrence for women who exercise regularly. Although the articles one reads don't always address why this is, a couple of big factors that come to mind are 1) more stable and lower blood sugar levels 2) and better weight control.

My own take on this research is that more is better (within reason of course and as Marin said barring any eating disorder issues). I think an every day schedule has some benefit over a a few days a week because it helps build a strong exercise habit and you also get the blood sugar management benefit on a daily basis- also the stress reduction benefit. That said I agree with Marin's comments that 4 days a week is pretty good and puts you way ahead of what most Americans do (next to nothing). The main take away message from the research is that being physically active is a good thing. The only reason they specify the number of minutes is that in a research study you have to operationalize and quantify everything. 30 minutes 6 days a week is not a magic formula, it's just the frequency and intensity they used for their study. Personally I'd LOVE to see a study of women who exercise at high intensity for ...oh 10 hours a week (since I'm just dreaming here). I bet that would yield some interesting results. Might be hard to recruit participants though!

Anonymous

I'd sign up ! At least I'd try to make it through 10 intense hours a week, lol...

paige-allyson

Great Felicia! That makes two of us so far! LOL