Weekend Warriors tend to wear white collars
Wealthier Americans are more likely than others to be sedentary for much of the week and then turn into active weekend warriors on Saturdays and Sundays, researchers report.
Only about one in 20 US adults (5 percent) currently meet the recommended exercise guidelines. The recommendations are to get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. The US government suggests getting this exercise by doing about 30 minutes a day, most days of the week.
But thats not the only way to get your exercise during the week. To meet [physical activity] guidelines, one can engage in 150 minutes of weekly moderate intensity activity over a two- or three-day period rather than seven days, for example, said study co-author Kerem Shuval. He is director of physical activity and nutrition research with the American Cancer Society.
This can be achieved over a long weekend, a message we may want to convey to those pressed for time, he said in a society news release.
It is important to remember, however, that we should increase the duration and intensity of activity gradually to avoid injury. Also, if inactive, consult with a physician before embarking on an exercise program, Shuval said.
For the study, the researchers used activity monitors to track the movements of more than 5,200 American adults. The study was done from 2003 to 2006.
People who made more than $75,000 a year typically spent almost 5 extra minutes a day on moderate-to-heavy physical activity compared to those making less than $20,000 per year, the findings showed.
But wealthier people spent about 9 fewer minutes a day on light-intensity activity. Plus, they spent nearly 12 more minutes a day sitting still, the researchers said.
Yet richer folks were also 1.6 times more likely to meet recommended exercise for a brief two-day period (weekend warriors), and nearly twice as likely to meet recommendations over a seven-day period.
Physical activity of all kinds can be performed in a variety of intensities, ranging between light, moderate, and vigorous (high) intensity activity. Understanding the difference between intensity levels is important to understanding the current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
Light intensity activities require the least amount of effort, compared to moderate and vigorous activities. The definition for light intensity activity is an activity that is classified as 3 METS. One MET, or metabolic equivalent, is the amount of oxygen consumed while sitting at rest. Thus, an activity classified as 2 METS would be equal to 2 times the amount of oxygen consumed while sitting at rest (1 MET). METS are a convenient and standard method for describing absolute intensity of physical activities. Some examples of light physical activities include: walking slowly (i.e. shopping, walking around the office), sitting at your computer, making the bed, eating, preparing food, and washing dishes.
Moderate intensity activities are defined as activities ranging between 3 - 6 METS. These activities require more oxygen consumption that light activities. Some examples of moderate physical activities include: sweeping the floor, walking briskly, slow dancing, vacuuming, washing windows, shooting a basketball.
Vigorous intensity activities are defined as activities 6 METS. Vigorous activities require the highest amount of oxygen consumption to complete the activity. Examples of vigorous physical activities include: running (5 mph ), swimming, shoveling, soccer, jumping rope, carrying heavy loads (i.e. bricks).
An easy way to estimate intensity of activities is through a method called the talk test. This method is a simple, practical way for individuals to measure their activity intensity. If you are doing a moderate intensity activity, you can talk, but not sing during the activity. If you are doing a vigorous intensity activity, you will not be able to say more than a few words without taking a breath.
HealthDay
