Family Encyclopedia >> Sports

Is moving less often just as good for you?

The advice in the Netherlands is half an hour of exercise per day. The World Health Organization recommends 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or 150 minutes of moderate exercise, in both cases spread over the week. What if you don't spread those minutes over the days, but only exercise on the weekend?

According to British researchers, exercising once or twice a week already has a beneficial effect on your health. If you walk briskly for an hour once or twice a week, you have a better chance of living longer. Quality may be more important than quantity. We'd love to hear that.

There are, however, a few caveats. The study did not look at the effects on your mental health and stress. In addition, sitting a lot has a negative effect on your health. If you sit more than ten hours a day (think:an office job and travel time), you have a 40 to 60 percent more chance of dying earlier.