LIGHT EXERCISE
Strenuous workouts will improve athletic performance, but
this doesn't mean these types of workouts will give you a great health advantage. Research
indicates that there is very little difference in the death rates from coronary heart
disease, cancer, and the other combined causes between moderate exercisers and heavy
exercisers; however, there is a great difference in the death rates of inactive people and
moderate exercisers.
There are advantages of moderate exercise over strenuous exercise.
Generally, we are able to sustain moderate exercise for a longer time. If you're using
exercise for weight control, the longer you're able to exercise, the more calories you'll
burn. For example, most people can walk for a longer period of time than they can jog. A
three-mile walk will burn approximately 300 calories; a one-mile jog will burn about 100
calories.
In addition, moderate exercise reduces stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, and the risk
of adult onset diabetes as effectively as strenuous exercise.