Intense workouts offer more health benefits
If your daily workout consists of a leisurely walk from Sproul
Plaza to Tolman Hall, new findings from UC Berkeley researchers may
quicken your stride.
In a recent study of more than 8,000 runners across the country,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory scientist Paul Williams found
that intense exercise can lower the risk of coronary heart
disease.
These findings contrast with current government guidelines that
say the health benefits garnered from exercise depend on the
frequency rather than the intensity of jogging sessions.
"Our results suggest that different exercise prescriptions may
target specific heart disease risk factors," Williams said last
week.
The researchers compiled data on 8,290 male and 1,837 female
runners as part of the National Runners’ Health Study, finding that
faster runners have lower blood pressure and that distance runners
tend to increase their high density lipo-protein or "good"
cholesterol.
Williams found that among men, running faster can narrow
waistlines up to five times faster than leisurely jogging and have
an average 13.3 times greater impact on lowering systolic blood
pressure.
For women, the study found that running longer has six times
greater impact on lowering systolic blood pressure. The study also
found that running longer distances can have a significant impact
on elevating HDL cholesterol. Long-distance runners in the study
increased their HDL levels by six times.
"For the most part, the effects were the same for younger and
older participants," Williams said. "But it’s clear that people in
their 20s have higher potential for faster running times."
Williams’ ongoing study traces runners 18-24 by using their
medical records and surveys on running times and frequency.
Another study recently conducted by UC Berkeley graduate student
Bryan Burgman and Professor George Brooks dispels preconceptions
that only athletes can lose and keep their weight off. The study
found that there is no increased fat oxidation with training.
UCSA supports domestic partners
As part of a continuing effort to secure equal opportunity
housing and health benefits for domestic partners, the University
of California Student Association will deliver postcards presenting
its position to UC President Richard Atkinson this week.
Preprinted on pink, purple and red paper, the postcards Â
with blanks for supporters to sign their names and addresses Â
state that denying domestic partners benefits "is a clear breach of
the University’s non-discrimination policy and a violation of basic
human rights."
According to a fact sheet distributed by UCSA, the domestic
partnership is defined as "two people who share a primary
residence, are financially and emotionally interdependent, and have
an intimate relationship including a commitment to caring for each
other’s needs."
Same-gender couples are included in this definition, and
according to UCSA, lesbian and gay couples "are routinely denied
access to family housing, for instance, because their relationships
do not have the standing in law that marriage bestows."
However, the UC non-discrimination policy states, in part, that
"the University of California does not discriminate in any of its
policies, procedures or practices on the basis of race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or marital
status."
Denying domestic partners benefits is a breech of this policy,
according to UCSA.
University officials have set up a committee of students, staff
and faculty to look into the issue, UC spokesperson Terry Colvin
said.
"The UC Davis Chancellor’s Committee on Gay, Lesbian and
Bisexual Issues has been working on the domestic partnership issue
for several years," committee chairperson Allison Subasic said. "UC
Davis has always been supportive of hard domestic partnership
benefits."
According to Subasic, "hard benefits" include such things as
health care and retirement plans, whereas "soft benefits" are
things such as library cards and Recreation Hall passes.
Compiled from Daily Bruin wire reports.