An Australian study shows that the more people understand the benefits of exercise, the more physically active they are. Researchers at the University of Central Queensland conducted a survey of 615 people to see how much they knew about the benefits of physical activity and the risk of laziness.
The survey also included questions to measure how long they spent walking, or to do a little activity like swimming, or more activity such as cycling.
Stephanie Squibb and her colleagues wrote in the journal Plus One that regular physical activity "reduces the risk of death for any reason by 30 percent, the risk of serious chronic diseases such as heart disease by 35 percent, Type II by 42%, and colon cancer by 30% ».
They also wrote: "Regular physical activity also increases the average age and improves overall physical and health status."
Almost all respondents agreed that physical activity was beneficial to health.