Even in spite the bursts of fitness advices from online experts, books, blogs and TV shows, Americans do not know basic exercise facts to this day. A recent poll revealed that a basic knowledge regarding exercise and health still eludes the people in the United States.
The poll revealed that almost three quarters out of over 1,000 questioned individuals did not know that they must burn 3,500 calories in order to get rid of a pound of fat. This is according to the poll carried out by Nautilus Inc., a fitness equipment manufacturer. The results of the recent poll were posted on the Internet, together with an interactive test.
Just 39 percent of the people questioned knew that an egg is a very healthy protein source and only 13 percent knew that women who train with weights will not bulk up similar to men. The average score on the poll was 42 percent.
Author of the study and fitness adviser, Tom Holland said that there are a lot of misconceptions and myths out there, including the erroneous belief that by training with weights you can turn fat into muscles. This belief is shared by 45 percent of all people. However, Holland’s biggest concern was the misconception that women who train with weights bulk up like men. Holland said that if we think how important training is for women, this is a disservice.
Around three quarters of the people in the study knew that running for a mile will burn more calories than walking and 67 percent knew that the resting heart rate is a great indicator for aerobic fitness. The heart grows stronger and more efficient with regular exercise.
Out of the people interviewed, 45 percent of them chose morning as the most effective time to exercise, even though evenings and afternoons are just as good. Jessica Matthews, a senior adviser for fitness and health from the American Council of Exercise said that the truth is sometimes more complicated. She said that studies show that the temperature of our bodies is warmer at a later time in the day, so exercise in the afternoon can be good. However, she also said that people who exercise earlier in the morning have a tendency to exercise regularly.
While women and men were misinformed equally, young people with ages between 18 to 24 scored the highest and 65-year old or even older individuals scored the lowest.
Image Source: coast-fitness.com
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