A groundbreaking study reveals that incorporating short bursts of physical activity into daily routines can significantly reduce women’s risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems by up to 45%.
Short Bursts of Physical Activity Can Significantly Reduce Women’s Risk of Heart Attack
Just a few minutes of vigorous movement per day can lower women’s risk of heart attack and other serious cardiovascular problems. A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that women who included short bursts of intense physical activity in their daily routines saw their risk of major cardiovascular problems drop by 45 percent compared to those who did none.
What Constitutes a “Short Burst” of Physical Activity?
According to Emmanuel Stamatakis, a physical activity epidemiologist at the University of Sydney, these short bursts can be as brief as 20-30 seconds of intense physical exertion. The key is to sprinkle multiple instances throughout the day, with just a few minutes total of vigorous activity being enough to see significant heart benefits.
The study analyzed data from over 22,000 people aged 40-69 who reported no exercise in their free time. Participants wore movement tracking devices for one week, and researchers noted their health issues over the next eight years on average. The results showed that women who engaged in short bursts of physical activity had a significantly lower risk of heart attack compared to those who did not.
Why Do Women Benefit More from Short Bursts of Physical Activity?
While both men and women benefited from short bursts of physical activity, the study found smaller heart benefits in men. Stamatakis suggests that this may be due to men’s generally higher fitness levels, which could make a small increase in daily activity less effective.
Incorporating More Vigorous Activity into Daily Life
The take-home message is clear: incorporating short bursts of intense physical activity into our day-to-day lives can have a significant impact on cardiovascular health. This can be as simple as parking further from the grocery store, taking the stairs, or engaging in other activities that get your heart rate up.
By building habits that inject more vigor and exertion into our daily routines, we can reduce our risk of heart attack and other serious cardiovascular problems. As Stamatakis notes, “the key is to incorporate as many bursts here and there as possible.
- sciencenews.org | Short bursts of physical activity cut women’s risk of heart attack
