In a recent study, researchers from York University found that people generally tend to overrate how much they work out and underestimate the effort required in moderate intensity exercise.
"Our study findings suggest that the majority of young and middle-aged to old adults underestimate the intensity of physical activity that is required to achieve health benefits," said Professor Jennifer Kuk, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, in a press statement. "This is worrisome both for personal and public health and well-being."
For the study, researchers recruited 129 sedentary adult aged 18 to 64. All participants were asked to estimate different intensity exercises. While they were able to correctly estimate the physical activities required for light intensity exercises, they underestimated moderate and vigorous intensity exercise.
"We instructed volunteers to walk or jog on the treadmill at a speed which they felt corresponded to the 'light,' 'moderate' and 'vigorous' intensity descriptors used in the physical activity guide, yet they underestimated how hard they should be working to achieve moderate and vigorous intensity," lead researcher and graduate student Karissa Canning said.
According to CDC recommendations, adults ages 18 to 64 years should participate in two-and-a-half hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week for 10 minutes or longer at a stretch.
The researchers clarified that for moderate intensity exercise, a person's heart rate should be between 64 and 76 percent of their maximum heart rate. For vigorous intensity, a person's heart rate should be between 77 and 83 percent of their maximum heart rate.
As important as exercising is, it is very important to strike a good balance between workout intensities. A recent German study found that too much high-intensity exercise could increase the risk of death from a heart attack or stroke.
"The benefits of exercise are definitely not to be questioned; on the contrary, they should be reinforced. The studies reviewed here, and future studies, will serve to [maximize] benefits obtained by regular exercise while preventing undesirable effects-just like all other drugs and therapies," the researchers said in the news release.
The current study was published online in PLOS ONE and funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
