signalsPlacebo Effect For Exercise?
February 12th 2007 19:05
I just read a really interesting study where they demonstrated the placebo effect of getting exercise. They took two groups of female housekeepers and told one group that they got enough exercise, and they didn't tell the other one anything. They made sure that they were both doing the same amount, and 4 weeks later, the group that was told they got enough exercise saw the benefits.
The losses in body fat, BMI, etc for the housekeepers was pretty small, and they only lost 2 pounds, but their blood pressure decreased too.
Maybe it's like those cheap steppers you can buy on Amazon or eBay, and people delude themselves into thinking it's a good workout - but it works!
It's obvious that the placebo effect is a powerful thing. I remember one year in middle school, we had to watch this program called Degrassi Junior High in our health classes. One episode of it was about drugs, and this guy sold a couple of junior high kids these pills, saying it would mess them up (it turns out they were just vitamins). They took them and soon they were like "Oh man, I'm so high!" and laughing hysterically. It was pretty funny when they found out the truth.
I also always was amused to read medication printouts where it lists the side effects for the placebo. You name it, someone had it happen to them. I wonder how much better the medicine really is?
I've been getting exercise in at my new apartment. I took 10 flights of stairs up to our place yesterday from the gym and yeah, I did think that was a pretty good workout. Maybe my calves will actually get stronger and I'll lose weight as a result. Ha!
So, I guess what we can learn from this is that we need to believe what we're doing is working. A positive attitude can change a lot.
Claire S.
The losses in body fat, BMI, etc for the housekeepers was pretty small, and they only lost 2 pounds, but their blood pressure decreased too.
Maybe it's like those cheap steppers you can buy on Amazon or eBay, and people delude themselves into thinking it's a good workout - but it works!
I also always was amused to read medication printouts where it lists the side effects for the placebo. You name it, someone had it happen to them. I wonder how much better the medicine really is?
I've been getting exercise in at my new apartment. I took 10 flights of stairs up to our place yesterday from the gym and yeah, I did think that was a pretty good workout. Maybe my calves will actually get stronger and I'll lose weight as a result. Ha!
So, I guess what we can learn from this is that we need to believe what we're doing is working. A positive attitude can change a lot.
Claire S.
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Comment by Adele
Lost Fanatic
Day Break TV
Please tell me I get enough exercise. I'd like to lose two pounds from nothing.
Comment by Claire S
You get enough exercise. Now go lose those 2 pounds
Comment by Adele
Lost Fanatic
Day Break TV