Walk Regularly and Your Lungs Will Thank You

(Patria) - There are many benefits people can experience as a result of regular exercise.

One 2018 study found that lifelong exercise was associated with longevity and delayed onset of up to 40 chronic conditions, some of which include type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

While we most associate exercise with maintaining a healthy weight and improving heart health, there are other benefits we may not think about, such as lung health.

We may not think about lung health regularly, but we should prioritize it just like other aspects of our health.

Fortunately, there is one form of exercise that can improve lung health more than any other type of exercise. Also, it is not as time-consuming or intense as we might think.

The key is to move for at least 150 minutes per week.

- Regular walking is important for lung health. It helps improve lung capacity, as well as maintain exercise capacity - says pulmonologist Dr. Paul S. Han.

So, if we want to stick to a walking regimen that improves lung health, Han says we can simply adopt this guideline by having at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week.

Moderate aerobic activity includes activities that increase heart rate and breathing, but allow us to hold a conversation without too much effort.

Examples include brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, and dancing.