Apple Watch Data Shows Which New England State Exercises the Most – and Least!
Apple Watch data was just released showing which US states exercise the most and which exercise the least. What a great source for exercise data, huh? A study by Gitnux showed that approximately 16% of all US adults now have an Apple Watch. Another study, this one by Above Avalon, shows that Apple Watch is the most popular brand for personal smart watches. 58% of people who wear smart watches are wearing an Apple Watch. Most people wear their Apple Watch from wake to sleep so this method of data collection should be rich with info.
What that Apple Watch data shows… is what other studies have already said… that Massachusetts is a workout beast. The Bay State topped Apple Watch’s list of states that exercise the most! I say this like I’m flexing. I’m not. This might be my most strenuous workout of the day, twiddling my fingers on this keyboard as I type. Thanks for carrying me, fellow MA peeps!
The Apple Watch data showed that only 54% of US residents are hitting the recommended weekly exercise goal. By the way, the recommended weekly exercise goal is 2.5 hours of aerobic exercise a week. While only 54% of people in the US hit that goal, 67% of Massachusetts residents do. Good job!
New York (66%) and Connecticut (64%) and California (62%) had the next highest percentages (those numbers in parenthesis) of people getting 150 minutes of weekly aerobic exercise.
Mississippi had the lowest percentage of residents who hit the recommended weekly exercise goal (39%) followed by Louisiana (41%), Oklahoma (41%) and West Virginia (42%).
As far as New England goes: Massachusetts exercises the most, followed in order by Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and finally Maine.
On top of the 2.5 hours of aerobic exercise a week, the CDC also recommends getting two additional days of muscle-strengthening activity each week.
Speaking of health and wellness, I just came across the 4 Most Googled Medical Questions in Massachusetts. I found it interesting to see what we’re hitting up “Dr. Google” for so I thought I’d share them with you here. Also – to add some value – I’ve done a little research to answer each of the FAQs:
Massachusetts 4 Most Googled Medical Questions - and the Answers!
Is it bad to crack your back?
ANSWER: Cracking your back occasionally is considered safe for most people and can provide temporary relief from stiffness or discomfort. But excessive or forceful cracking may potentially strain muscles or ligaments and could contribute to spinal instability over time. If you’re unsure or have concerns about cracking your back, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional before partaking in the cracking.
What causes high cholesterol?
ANSWER: High cholesterol can be caused by a handful of factors including genetics, diet, lifestyle choices, and underlying health conditions. Genetics play a significant role as some people inherit genes that cause their bodies to produce too much cholesterol or have difficulty processing it efficiently. Unhealthy dietary habits including consuming high levels of saturated and trans fats, can also raise cholesterol levels. Lack of physical activity, smoking, habitually drinking alcohol, and being overweight or obese are lifestyle factors that can contribute to high cholesterol as well. Certain medical conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism, and kidney disease can affect cholesterol levels.
How to prevent shin splints?
ANSWER: To prevent shin splints it’s considered essential to gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts, to wear proper footwear with adequate support, and incorporate strength training exercises for the lower legs. Also ensure that you’re running or exercising on even surfaces and consider using orthotic inserts if needed. Proper warm-up and cool-down routines as well as stretching and foam rolling exercises for the calf muscles can also help prevent shin splints.
How to prevent pneumonia?
ANSWER: To prevent pneumonia it’s important to maintain good overall health. It’s trecommended that you practice proper hand hygiene, get vaccinated against common causes of pneumonia such as the flu and pneumococcus bacteria, and avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke and other respiratory irritants. Practicing good respiratory hygiene, like covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and seeking prompt medical attention for respiratory infections can help reduce the risk of pneumonia as well.
