Doing it quickly for half an hour every day has magical effects

Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke. To be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, a person must have at least three of the five risk factors (excessive waist circumference, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low good cholesterol and high blood sugar). Currently, one in four American adults suffers from metabolic syndrome.

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center in the United States investigated 171 middle-aged overweight men and women on the effects of changing the amount and intensity of exercise on them. Before starting the exercise program, 41% of the respondents met the indicators of metabolic syndrome. After 8 months of exercise, only 27% met the criteria.

In the survey, the group with the least amount of exercise, those who briskly walked six times a week for 30 minutes each time (equivalent to about 11 miles of brisk walking per week), benefited the most; while those who exercised the most, jogging 17 miles a week, achieved only slightly more improvement than brisk walking.

The survey also found that people who engage in short-term intense exercise do not improve their metabolic syndrome as effectively as those who do longer, less intense exercise.

The researchers said the findings are good news for middle-aged people who lead sedentary lifestyles. If they want to improve their health, this means they don't have to go running four or five days a week, but just taking a walk around their home after dinner will be good for their health.

The results of this study once again confirm a well-known health theory that exercise is better than no exercise, more exercise is better than less exercise, and no exercise will cause harm to your health.