National study finds exercise poses greater health benefits for women
New research has suggested that there are greater health benefits for women who exercise when compared to men who exercise. The national study found that women who regularly exercise, about 2.5 hours of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of cardio per week, achieved a lower risk of death of 24% when compared to women who were not active. Yes, you read that right!
In comparison, men who regularly exercised had a 15% lower risk of death than men who weren’t active. In order to reach the amount of greater health benefits for women, men had to be more active than their female counterparts. Those who engaged in five hours of moderate to intense exercise each week had an 18% lower risk of death. However, ladies who exercised for just 140 minutes a week experienced the same results.
“Women got the same benefit at lower levels of physical activity,” said Dr. Martha Gulati, the director of preventive cardiology at Cedars-Sinai’s Smidt Heart Institute in Los Angeles, and a co-author of the study.
According to the study, males who regularly exercised had a 14% lower risk of dying from a cardiovascular condition such a heart attack or stroke, while women who did so had a 36% lower risk. The results were released in the American College of Cardiology Journal on Monday. Over 412,000 men and women who participated in the National Health Interview Survey between 1997 and 2017 self-reported their exercise habits.
Compared to 43% of the males in the study, about one-third of the women routinely participated in aerobic workouts, or activities that raise heart rate such as fast walking, jumping rope, or spin classes. Additionally, women were less likely than males to engage in exercises that build muscle, such as lifting weights.
Regardless, consistent muscular training was linked to a 19% lower risk of overall death and a 30% lower risk of women dying from cardiovascular issues. For men, the same weekly workouts reduced mortality and cardiovascular disease risk by 11% and 6%, respectively.
Even though there are greater health benefits for women who exercise, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults should engage in 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, which should include two days of muscle-building exercises.
Gulati mentions that it may be tough for some women to meet those guidelines.
“Women are busy. Women work. Women usually take the bulk of family responsibilities. Whether that’s children, whether that’s elderly parents, and by the time the day finishes, there’s very little time.” said Gulati.
While the greater health benefits for women is nothing short of a positive note, it doesn’t mean that women can exercise less to reach the same goals as men. It only shows that exercise affects men and women differently. Keep grinding!