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"BRISK, BUT COMFORTABLE" A NEW STUDY
REVEALS THE BEST PACE FOR YOUR HEART

Background

The pace that feels right probably is. When it comes to fitness, a brisk, comfortable walking pace strengthens the heart, researchers reported today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2003.

"A large segment of the population still believes exercise must be vigorous, demanding or involve more complicated activities than walking to adequately raise one's heart rate. This perception of "no pain, no gain" can discourage people from starting to exercise at all," said lead investigator Kyle McInnis, Sc.D., professor of exercise science at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. He and other researchers studied a group of 84 obese adults, who were between 30 and 100 pounds overweight, seeking professional advice on a safe level of exercise. According to McInnis, "the results showed that when participants self-selected a speed that was comfortable but brisk, their heart rate and level of exertion was in a safe range but high enough to improve their cardiovascular fitness." McInnis hopes that the results of the new study will encourage sedentary people to begin exercising and help to lower their risk for cardiovascular disease.

Obesity is a major independent risk factor for heart disease. Most obese persons have one or more additional risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or insulin resistance. Increasing physical activity is key to reducing these risks, helping to reduce blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and to significantly lower the risk of death and disability from heart disease. The American Heart Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine recommend people walk or perform other moderate-intensity exercises for at least 30 minutes five days or more a week.

For more information on exercise and cardiovascular disease please log on to www.americanheart.org.