According to a recently published study at Folkhälsan Research Center, simple measures to promote physical activity can support exercise among people who have a poor physical fitness, and achieve significant long-term health benefits.
The study was conducted as part of the PPP-BOTNIA population study, which includes 5,000 people. The study examines the prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes and related risk factors in Ostrobothnia. The follow-up study that was coordinated by Folkhälsan Research Center, involved a total of 1072 people who, via the UKK gait test, were found to have a poor physical fitness. Of these, 290 participated either once in a training counselling group or in supervised training twice a week for a year.
After another six years of follow-up, those who participated in the exercise counselling alone and those who participated in the supervised exercise both had significantly better blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol and insulin sensitivity than the control group, which continued a normal life without intervention.
Previous studies, especially on the effectiveness of exercise counselling, have mainly been short and focused on risk groups. According to the results now obtained, simple exercise instructions can effectively promote long-term health even at the population level.
– In the long term, it seems that exercise counselling can provide the same health benefits as a year of supervised exercise. If we compare the simplicity of the training interventions with the achieved health benefits, the results are compelling. Such low-threshold interventions could therefore function as a more prominent part of Finnish healthcare, says senior researcher and Adjunct Professor Niko Wasenius from Folkhälsan Research Center and the University of Helsinki.
Previously, it has been argued that a family history of diabetes reduces the health benefits of exercise. According to this study however, family diabetes may reduce the effect of exercise on LDL cholesterol or waist circumference, but it does not appear to have a systematic effect on the benefits of exercise.
– Those with a family history of diabetes may need to exercise more to achieve the same health benefits, but the health benefits are achievable. The diabetes heritage further emphasizes the importance of an active lifestyle, says Bo Isomaa, an internal medicine doctor at Folkhälsan Research Center.
The PPP-BOTNIA study is carried out in collaboration with the Folkhälsan Research Center, the University of Helsinki, Lund University, and Helsinki University Hospital, as well as the health centers in Vaasa, Pietarsaari and Närpiö.
For more information, please contact
Niko Wasenius, adjunct professor
Senior researcher, Folkhälsan Research Center
Clinical lecturer, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki
044-3714921
niko.wasenius@helsinki.fi