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Charity Worried Over Public Confusion On Exercise

Tuesday 15 April 2003


The Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association has expressed grave concern about the publication of research results appearing to indicate that moderate exercise does not reduce the risk of heart disease.

The Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association has expressed grave concern about the publication of research results appearing to indicate that moderate exercise does not reduce the risk of heart disease.

The Association is worried that it may prompt some people to give up on exercise – when in fact the latest advice from the medical authorities in the US (based on many research studies) is that moderate exercise does combat cardiovascular disease and obesity.

Andrew Dougal, Chief Executive of NICHSA said, “Medical research findings should be used for debate among the research and academic community before any message is given to the public. The results of one research project should never be used for changing advice to the public.

“Both we and the Health Promotion Agency advise people to continue to take regular exercise at whatever level of intensity most suits them. Half an hour of exercise that makes you slightly out of breath at least three times a week is a reasonable guide. And let’s not forget that exercise has a wide range of benefits, not just for preventing cardiovascular disease, but in preventing obesity, type 2 diabetes and a range of other medical problems.”

The NICHSA would ask researchers to engage in extensive and inclusive discussion before issuing the results of future studies.

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