Pokémon GO won’t help you get more exercise, but these five tips will
Pokémon GO users do not get more exercise than those who do not play the game, Harvard University researchers have found.
Hopes were high that the mobile game would increase the physical activity levels of the 500 million people who downloaded it since its launch in July. Researchers discovered an average increase of 955 steps or 11 minutes of walking in the first week users downloaded the app, but after six weeks there was no difference.
Even the initial boost of activity is not enough to meet recommendations from the World Health Organization, which recommends adults get about 22 minutes of physical exercise per day. That is twice the amount of exercise of even the most active Pokémon Go users.
So how can you get more active in 2017? Here are five tips from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
- Start small: If you haven’t been active before, start at a comfortable level. Once you get the hang of it, add a little more activity each time.
- Mix it up: Learn new stretches and warm-up exercises. Trying different activities can help you find what you like. Health professionals recommend a combination of aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise.
- Make exercise a part of your regular routine. Find small ways to work exercise into your daily life, such as walking instead of driving. Put exercise on your calendar to help you stick to a schedule.
- Get a buddy. Find activities you can do with a friend or loved one. Encourage and keep each other accountable to keep workout plans.
- Recognize small victories. Some physical activity is always better than none. Be patient. Change takes time.
How do you plan to meet your fitness goals for 2017? Share your story with Voices for Affordable Health.