" That question matters, since cardiorespiratory fitness — as measured by VO2 max, or the maximum amount of oxygen a person can take in during exercise — increasingly is being recognized as an important predictor of health. A review article published last year in The Journal of Psychopharmacology concluded that a person’s VO2 max could be “at least as important as the traditional risk factors,” like blood pressure and cholesterol readings, in the risk for premature death.....
In focusing on fitness instead of weight, the Canadian study has especially broad implications. “Our findings suggest that if you move even a little, that can help your fitness, even if you don’t meet the formal exercise guidelines,” said Robert Ross, a professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s University and co-author of the study with K. Ashlee McGuire, a doctoral candidate. ...
The Canadian research does raise some interesting questions even for those of us who exercise. Should we try to add more unplanned activity to our days? Can we? Isn’t it then planned activity — that is, exercise? And if we do fidget and incidentally move more, can we exercise less?
“There’s no reason that I can see not to add more incidental activity,” Dr. Ross said. “Take the stairs; park farther away” — actions that add to the number of steps you take each day. “But formal exercise is still the best thing you can do for your health,” he said. “Try to meet the guidelines.”
See entire article about fidgeting for fitness