The study involved 20 non-smoking,
healthy volunteers who were shown both humorous (“There’s
Something About Mary”” and non-humorous (“Saving
Private Ryan”) movies. Ultrasound was used on the
volunteers during the movies to gauge blood flow. Researchers
found that those watching the humorous movies had a 22
percent increase in blood flow due to the dilation of
the inner linings of their blood vessels (a tissue known
as endothelium). Those watching the non-humorous, stressful
movies had a 35% decrease in blood flow.
While researchers weren’t able to
determine if the changes in the endothelium were a result
of chemical or muscle actions, it is an interesting finding
in terms of cardiovascular health. “The magnitude
of change we saw is similar to the benefits we might see
with aerobic activity, but without the aches, pains and
muscle tension associated with exercise,” said lead
researcher Dr. Michael Miller. Dr. Miller was quick to
stress that it is still important to exercise a minimum
of 30 minutes three times a week.
While no one is advocating movies over movement
quite yet, you’ve got to wonder if the day is coming
when “I’m going to the gym” will be
trumped by “I’m going to the multi-plex.”
Now we just have to convince the insurance industry to
cover movie passes.
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