New research suggests women may gain greater health benefits from exercise than men

Women May Reap Greater Health Rewards from Exercise, Study Finds

According to a recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health, women⁤ may experience more long-term health benefits from regular exercise compared to men. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, revealed that even a limited amount of exercise can provide significant advantages, particularly for women.

“Even a limited amount of regular exercise can provide a major‍ benefit, and it turns out this is especially true for women,” cardiologist Susan Cheng, a co-author of the study, ⁢stated.

Over a ⁤20-year period, researchers examined a group of​ 400,000 men and women in the United States. The findings showed ‌that regular exercise had⁣ different ⁤effects on the risk of premature death between the sexes.

Key Findings:

• Women who​ exercised regularly had a 24% lower risk of death from any cause ⁣compared to those who did not exercise.
• Women who exercised weekly had a 36% lower risk of fatal cardiovascular events, such as⁢ heart attacks or strokes.
• Men who exercised regularly had⁤ a 15% lower risk of death and a 4% lower risk⁤ of cardiovascular death.

Interestingly,⁢ women achieved the same health ⁣benefits as men with significantly shorter workout times. For women, 140 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week reduced the risk of death by 18%, while men required 300 minutes to achieve the same reduction. Additionally, engaging in vigorous aerobic exercise for 110 minutes per week decreased a woman’s risk of death by 24%, compared to a ‍19% decrease for men.

Strength training exercises also proved beneficial in reducing the⁢ risk of death and fatal cardiovascular events. However, the effects ⁤varied based on sex.

“This study emphasizes that there is no singular approach for exercise,” said Eric Shiroma, program director for clinical applications at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. “A person’s physical activity needs and goals may change based on their age, health status, ‍and schedule⁤ —‍ but the value of any⁢ type of ‌exercise is irrefutable.”

The study suggests that physiological and anatomical differences between ⁣men and women, such as lung capacity, heart size, and muscle mass, may contribute to the varying benefits of exercise. Women may need to exert more energy and strength to achieve the same results as men, leading to greater health rewards.

“We hope this study will help everyone, especially women, ⁣understand ⁤they are poised to gain tremendous benefits​ from exercise,” Cheng said. “It is an incredibly powerful way to live healthier and longer.”

Despite the potential advantages, the study revealed that only a minority of participants met the recommended exercise standards. Only 33% of women and⁤ 43% of men ⁣engaged⁣ in weekly aerobic exercise, while only 20% of women and 28% of men‌ completed​ strength training sessions.

The Department of⁢ Health and Human ⁢Services recommends that‍ both men and women⁣ engage in at least 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate exercise or 1.25 to 2.5 hours of vigorous exercise each week,‌ along with two or more days of strength training.

“Taking some regular time ⁢out for exercise, even if it’s just 20-30 minutes of ​vigorous exercise a few‍ times each week, can ‌offer a lot more gain than they may⁤ realize,” Cheng encouraged. “[H]opefully these findings inspire more women to add extra movement to their lives.”

What types of exercise provide the greatest health benefits for men who engage in 220 minutes of vigorous exercise per week?

Ease for men with 220 minutes⁣ of vigorous exercise per week.

Furthermore, the study found that the benefits of exercise seemed to be cumulative for women. In other words, the more often⁣ women exercised, the greater the reduction in their risk of premature death. For men, however, there ​was ‍no significant difference in risk reduction based on the frequency of exercise.

The researchers ⁣also looked at the types⁤ of ‍exercise that provided the‍ greatest health benefits for both men and ⁤women. They found that both moderate aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking or ‍cycling, and vigorous aerobic exercise, such ⁢as running or swimming, were effective in reducing the risk of premature‍ death. However, combining ‌both types of exercise ‌provided even greater health benefits.

The study did not delve into the specific reasons why women⁤ may experience greater health rewards from exercise. However, previous research has suggested that women tend to have lower levels of physical fitness and a higher prevalence of heart disease risk factors compared⁣ to⁤ men. ​Therefore, the positive impact⁤ of exercise on women’s health may be more noticeable.

These findings emphasize the importance of regular exercise for ​women’s health. Despite the busy and demanding nature of a woman’s life, finding time ‍for physical activity can have significant long-term benefits.​ Not only does exercise help reduce the risk of premature death, ​but it ‌also plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy weight, ‌preventing chronic diseases, and boosting mental well-being.

Cardiologist Susan Cheng, who co-authored⁢ the study,⁤ encourages women to prioritize exercise in their daily lives. She suggests ⁣starting small and gradually increasing the duration and intensity of workouts. Simple⁢ activities⁤ such as brisk walking, swimming, or ⁣cycling can make ‌a significant difference in a woman’s overall health.

In conclusion, the recent study funded by the⁢ National Institutes of Health highlights the unique health benefits that regular exercise can provide for women. With even a​ limited amount of exercise, women can significantly reduce their risk of premature⁣ death and fatal cardiovascular events. Incorporating both moderate and vigorous aerobic exercise into their routine⁣ can maximize these health rewards. Women are encouraged to make exercise a ‌priority and find ways to incorporate physical activity into their daily ​lives. By doing so, they can reap the greater health rewards that exercise has to offer.

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