A little exercise goes a long way toward helping severely obese individuals improve their quality of life and complete important daily tasks, according to researchers at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center.
In a pre-program assessment where patients reported, on average, just under one hour of exercise per week, individuals who were more active reported better overall-quality of life.
They also reported improvements in their ability to perform daily tasks as measured on a physical functioning scale.
“Things that many people take for granted like tying one’s shoes, getting dressed, or simply moving around were easier for those who reported routine exercise,” says Martin Binks, Ph.D., research director at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center.
Other quality of life improvements associated with higher activity levels included the ability to complete basic daily tasks, such as getting up from chairs, using the stairs, dressing and undressing, and improved physical symptoms like feeling short of breath.
“These folks weren’t reporting high levels of activity yet they still felt better,” he said. “This supports what we’ve been teaching for years – no amount of exercise is too little to have an impact. And it’s beneficial no matter what you weigh.”
Read more at Medical News Today