B2 – Upper Intermediate
A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reveals that engaging in just 75 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week about 11 minutes daily can significantly reduce health risks. Activities like brisk walking, gardening, or yoga were associated with a 17% reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, a 7% decrease in cancer risk, and a 23% lower risk of early death.
Read the article to know why even short bursts of daily activity can yield meaningful health benefits.
https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/daily-11-minute-brisk-walk-enough-to-reduce-risk-of-early-death
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “study cohort” mean? “In total, they looked at results reported in 196 peer-reviewed articles, covering more than 30 million participants from 94 large study cohorts, to produce the largest analysis to date of the association between physical activity levels and risk of heart disease, cancer, and early death.
” Use it in a sentence. - What does “brisk walk” mean? “In a study published today in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the researchers say that 11 minutes a day (75 minutes a week) of moderate-intensity physical activity – such as a brisk walk – would be sufficient to lower the risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke and a number of cancers.
” Use it in a sentence. - What does “pooling” mean here, “To explore the amount of physical activity necessary to have a beneficial impact on several chronic diseases and premature death, researchers from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis, pooling and analysing cohort data from all of the published evidence.” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What types of physical activities qualify as moderate-intensity exercise according to the study?
- How does just 11 minutes of daily activity impact the risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and early death?
- Why is this research significant for people with busy lifestyles or limited access to fitness resources?
- What might be the long-term public health benefits if more people adopted this minimal exercise routine?
- How could governments or workplaces encourage more people to incorporate short bursts of physical activity into their daily routines?
2 replies on “Brisk Walk to Reduce Early Death Risk”
Vocabulary Questions:
The study cohort was divided into two groups: one group received a new treatment, while the other group received a placebo.
My morning routine includes a brisk walk of 5.5 kilometers, which I complete in around 55 minutes, starting at 5:50 am.
The researchers are pooling data from multiple studies to investigate the relationship between diet and cancer risk.
Discussion Questions:
What types of physical activities qualify as moderate-intensity exercise according to the study?
The following phisical activities are qualified as moderate-intensity exercise:
Brisk walking
Dancing
Riding a bike
Playing tennis
Hiking
How does just 11 minutes of daily activity impact the risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and early death?
Doing only 11 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each day can significantly reduce health risks. According to the study, it lowers the risk of early death by 23%, cardiovascular disease by 17%, and cancer by 7%. For some specific types of cancer, the risk reduction is even higher. This shows that even a small amount of daily exercise can make a big difference.
Why is this research significant for people with busy lifestyles or limited access to fitness resources?
This research is important because it shows that you don’t need a lot of time or expensive equipment to improve your health. People with busy schedules or limited access to gyms can still benefit from short, simple activities like brisk walking or cycling. It makes staying healthy more realistic and achievable for everyone.
What might be the long-term public health benefits if more people adopted this minimal exercise routine?
If more people did at least 75 minutes of moderate activity per week, it could prevent many cases of disease and early death. The study suggests that 1 in 10 early deaths could be avoided. Over time, this could reduce pressure on healthcare systems, lower medical costs, and help people live longer, healthier lives
How could governments or workplaces encourage more people to incorporate short bursts of physical activity into their daily routines?
Governments and workplaces can play a key role in promoting physical activity by making it easier and more attractive for people to be active. They could invest in more walking and cycling paths, offer flexible working hours, and encourage active breaks during the day. Public campaigns could raise awareness about the health benefits of even short periods of exercise. Additionally, financial support could make a big difference—for example, offering discounts on gym memberships or providing free fitness classes at the workplace. These actions would help people include physical activity in their daily routines in a fun, affordable, and convenient way.
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