Latest news with #CharlesPerkinsCentre
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New Study Shows Doing This for 3 Minutes a Day Can Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Besides quitting smoking, eating a nutritious diet and maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and even increase your longevity. But a new study shows you don't have to partake in structured workouts to protect your ticker. In fact, researchers found short bursts — as little as three minutes a day — of moderate to vigorous incidental physical activity (IPA) may cut the risk of a having a major adverse cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, in is incidental physical activity? Think of it as physical movement that's not considered leisure or recreational exercise, says lead study author Emmanuel Stamatakis, Ph.D., a professor of physical activity, lifestyle and population health at the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre in Camperdown, Australia. 'Incidental physical activity is what we do on autopilot in our daily lives, when we move from place to place, perform domestic tasks and do things at work,' Stamatakis explains. Some examples include taking the stairs, carrying groceries, bursts of fast walking, housecleaning (mopping, vacuuming, scrubbing) and vigorous gardening. It may surprise you, but only 24.2% of adults in the U.S. get the recommended 150 minutes of weekly moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) and two days of muscle-strengthening activity (like lifting weights) each week. Because so many people aren't getting enough exercise, Stamatakis and his team wanted to find out what, if any, long-term cardiovascular benefits could come solely through incidental physical activity. What the study found The researchers looked at data from more than 24,000 adults, aged 40 to 79, who were all non-exercisers and free of heart disease. During the course of seven days, which included three weekdays and one weekend day, the participants wore a wristband accelerometer, which provided a daily detailed summary of any light (washing the dishes, walking the dog, a stroll to the photocopier), moderate (brisk walking, playing tag, moving, carrying, or pushing around things like a lawnmower) and vigorous (short jog, quickly climbing stairs, or more intense gardening like hoeing or digging up weeds) incidental physical activity. A follow-up with the study subjects eight years later revealed the effects of the various levels of IPA in regards to cardiovascular risk. The median dose of vigorous (4.6 minutes a day) and moderate (23.8 to 23.9 minutes a day) incidental physical activity was associated with 25% to 38% and 40% to 50% lower risk of cardiovascular events (including deaths), respectively. In terms of preventing heart disease deaths and major cardiovascular events, the researchers learned that 1 minute of vigorous IPA was equal to 2.8 to 3.4 minutes of moderate IPA and 35 to 48 minutes of light IPA. Essentially, 3 minutes of moderate activity every day while you're doing chores could lower your risk for heart problems. What this means for you All in all, the message is very clear, according to Stamatakis. 'Know that no movement is wasted and all of it counts. Use any opportunity in life to move at higher intensity, like using stairs instead of elevators or parking your car further away,' he says. 'You'll improve the function of your heart and vessels and your body will respond positively.' A good rule of thumb of how to determine what's light, moderate and what's vigorous incidental physical activity is to use the singing, speaking rule, suggests Stamatakis. 'If someone can comfortably sing or speak while doing activity that means it's light intensity, when people are doing moderate activity, you can still speak, but singing isn't possible anymore, and when you hit vigorous intensity, you shouldn't be able to speak or sing while doing it,' he explains. The bottom line Yes, the study shows shorter spurts of activity can help protect your heart, but that doesn't mean you should give up exercising on the regular. You should still aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week and when your schedule is tight, amp up the intensity of your everyday chores. You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper
Daily Mirror
16-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Scientists discover chocolate could help you beat jet lag
Experts from an Australian airline and the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre have been looking into the best ways to help beat jet lag - and it turns out that chocolate is one of the key elements A sweet surprise awaits holidaymakers as researchers suggest that tucking into chocolate could be just the treat to boost your mood on long flights. The recent study has revealed chocolate as one of the "key elements" in beating jet lag, particularly if it is filled with some spicy options like chilli. Qantas, in collaboration with the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre, embarked on 'Project Sunrise' to investigate how certain foods could minimise jet lag during long-haul travel. As Qantas gears up for their direct London to Sydney flights slated for late 2025, the findings of their study come at an opportune time. In 2019, Qantas conducted three research flights for Project Sunrise, tweaking meal times and leveraging specific dietary choices to help sync passengers' biological clocks, including pairing proteins like fish and chicken with swiftly-digested carbs, alongside comforting delights such as soups and milky desserts. Part of the tactic involved increasing travellers' tryptophan levels, an amino acid known for its sleep-inducing properties. Peter Cistulli, a professor of Sleep Medicine from the University of Sydney, conveyed optimism about the ongoing study, highlighting "clear signs" that the gastronomic strategy can alleviate some of the strain of extended air travel. Researchers travelled on the aircraft and monitored 23 volunteer customers who were fitted with wearable device technology during the 20-hour flights as they followed specially designed menu, lighting, sleep and movement sequences. The inflight trials involved tailored cabin lighting schedules to facilitate adaption to the destination time zone and integrating simple stretch and movement activities. They also adjusted the timing of meal services to align the passengers' body clock and encouraged waking and sleeping by using specific menu items including fish and chicken paired with fast-acting carbohydrates, as well as comfort foods like soups and milk-based desserts to encourage sleep. Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce has expressed excitement about the potential to reduce jetlag and transform international travel for all passengers. 'Given our geography, Qantas has a long history of using imagination and innovation to overcome the tyranny of distance between Australia and the rest of the world,' said Mr Joyce. 'Now that we have the aircraft technology to do these flights, we want to make sure the customer experience evolves as well, and that's why we're doing this research and designing our cabins and service differently. Meanwhile, there are numerous tips and tricks available to combat jet lag and secure a decent amount of sleep on flights. A woman's 'clever' hack for better sleep on planes recently took the internet by storm, requiring just an armrest and a jacket. In her TikTok video, she demonstrates how she folds a jacket or blanket and uses the armrest to fashion a makeshift headrest, insisting that "it doesn't matter if you have an aisle seat or a window seat it works everywhere". The comments section was abuzz with travellers commending the ingenious method, calling it "so smart" and "perfect" for lengthy journeys. One commenter shared: "I've been doing this for years and it's so much better than sleeping on the food tray". Another traveller, who apparently had a less-than-comfortable flight experience, remarked wistfully: "This would've been helpful about 2 days ago,".
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
World's longest non-stop flight set to launch in 2027: Sydney to London in one go
Qantas Airways is set to redefine long-haul air travel with the launch of its groundbreaking " Project Sunrise " in 2027. This ambitious initiative will introduce the world's longest non-stop commercial flights, connecting Sydney directly to London and New York. Spanning approximately 17,800 kilometers, the Sydney-London route is expected to take around 20 hours, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. The Airbus A350-1000, which has been particularly designed to handle ultra-long-haul flights, is the foundation of Project Sunrise. 238 passengers in four classes—First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy—will be able to travel on each aircraft. Notably, premium seating takes up more than 40% of the cabin, guaranteeing increased comfort on lengthy flights. Read more: 7 summer escapes in India that aren't in the Himalayas First-class suites will feature individual cabins with a 32-inch entertainment screen, a closet, a bed, and a recliner chair. Additional legroom and ergonomic seats will be available in Premium Economy and Economy classes, while business-class travelers may anticipate lay-flat mattresses with privacy walls. To lessen the impacts of extended air travel, a special "Wellbeing Zone" will be available to all passengers, offering areas for movement, stretching, and refreshment. Combating jet lag Recognizing the difficulties associated with long journeys, Qantas has worked with experts from the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney to create methods to reduce jet lag. These consist of specially designed lighting patterns for the cabin, tryptophan-rich meals to encourage sleep, and supervised in-flight workouts. To promote passenger mobility and circulation, the Wellbeing Zone will have stretch grips, contoured wall panels, and on-screen workout routines. Operational considerations To maintain daily services on these routes, Qantas requires a minimum of three Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with deliveries expected to commence in late 2026. The airline has been facing quite a few delays due to various regulatory requirements necessitating design modifications for extended fuel capacity. However, despite these challenges, Qantas remained committed to launching Project Sunrise in early 2027. Read more: Vietnam proposes 10-year Golden Visa program to boost trade and tourism While Project Sunrise promises unparalleled convenience, it also brings economic and environmental considerations. Operating ultra-long-haul flights is resource-intensive, with increased fuel consumption due to the weight of additional fuel required for non-stop journeys. Qantas aims to offset these factors by utilizing more fuel-efficient aircraft and exploring sustainable aviation fuel options. Ticket prices for these routes are anticipated to carry a premium, reflecting the enhanced services and operational costs involved. Project Sunrise represents a significant leap forward in connecting distant parts of the globe, effectively shrinking travel time between continents. By eliminating stopovers, Qantas offers passengers a more streamlined and comfortable travel experience. As the airline prepares to embark on this ambitious venture, Project Sunrise stands as a testament to innovation and the evolving landscape of global air travel. Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
