A trip to the movie theater might not be your first thought when you’re looking for some exercise, but a new study suggests that it might be effective, according to the New York Post.
Going to the movies produces the same level of heart activity as taking a brisk walk or gardening, according to a study from researchers at University College London and paid for by the British Vue Cinemas, the New York Post reported.
Two groups of volunteers were involved in the study. The first group involved 51 participants who watched the 2019 live-action “Aladdin” film, while a control group of 26 participants read a novel for the same amount of time, according to the study.
While viewing the film, the heart rates of participants increased to a “healthy heart zone” for 40 minutes, or the equivalent of “low-intensity cardio,” the study reported, explaining, “Though very light, this level of stimulation can help to build cardio fitness levels and burn fat.”
Researchers believe that these benefits are partially a result of the “focused environment” of the movie theater, according to the study.
“In our 24:7 connected world it’s more and more important that we give our over-stimulated brains time to switch off and fully focus on one thing,” author Tanya Goodin wrote in the study, adding that focusing on a single experience can be “restful and rejuvenating for our brains, as well as incredibly enjoyable—and it’s an experience exactly like getting lost in a great film on a big screen.”
Another finding was that as the audience members watched the film together, “their heart rates became more closely aligned,” the study reported.
This “synchronized physical activity” can result in a “shared social focus,” which “not only has a proven link to greater bonding and empathy with others, but also has been proven to reduce symptoms of loneliness and depression,” according to the study.