Men Need Twice as Much Exercise as Women
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Dose Response: Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and physical activity is one of the best-known protectors. New research offers fresh insight into how men and women respond differently to physical activity when it comes to heart health.
The Study: In a study of more than 80,000 adults, researchers found that women who exercised around 250 minutes per week cut their risk of heart disease by roughly 30%. Men saw the same benefit only after about 530 minutes — nearly nine hours — of weekly activity.
The Takeaway: Women appear to gain greater cardiovascular protection from a smaller amount of exercise, while men may need to spend more time moving to see comparable results. Experts say these findings could eventually shape future exercise recommendations and that fitness is never one-size-fits-all. And it’s yet another reason why the best type of exercise is the one you actually enjoy.
Keep In Mind: The study was observational and can’t prove that exercise alone caused the differences in risk. Still, it reinforces a clear message for both sexes: staying active is essential for heart health.
