Women Reap Greater Health Benefits from Exercise than Men, New Research Suggests

New Findings on Exercise Benefits

Observational research recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that women may gain more significant health benefits from physical activity than men. These findings, which are the result of a collaboration between the National Institute on Aging and Cedars-Sinai, underscore the importance of physical activity for heart health, especially during Heart Month. The research has sparked lively discussions on the hashtags #OurHearts and #CardioTwitter.

Women and Exercise

A national study found that women who exercised regularly had a 24% lower risk of dying over the study period compared with women who didn’t exercise. Women who exercised regularly also had a 36% lower risk of dying from a cardiovascular issue. Regular muscle strengthening was associated with a 30% lower risk of women dying from cardiovascular problems and a 19% lower risk of dying overall. Interestingly, women are more efficient in responding to exercise, particularly when it comes to heart health and mortality.

Exercise Differences Between Men and Women

Men require more exercise than women to achieve the same health benefits. According to recent studies, women need just under 2.5 hours of moderate to vigorous aerobic physical activity a week to get the same 'survival benefit' that men get with five hours of physical activity. The mortality risk for women who engaged in regular physical activity was reduced by 24% compared to 15% for men.

Physiological Differences

Physiological differences between men and women may play a role in this disparity. Women have more capillaries in a given section of muscle than men do, which could allow more blood and oxygen to flow to the heart during exercise. Furthermore, women have higher levels of the hormone estrogen, which enhances blood flow. These factors combined could explain why women may derive more benefits from exercise than men.

Recommendations for Exercise

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans currently do not recommend different amounts of exercise for men and women. However, the researchers in this study found significant differences in the benefits of exercise for men and women. In terms of muscle-strengthening activities, the study showed that men benefit from three sessions per week, while women need only one session per week.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while both men and women can benefit from regular exercise, women may experience more significant health benefits, including a lower risk of premature death and cardiovascular events. It's important to remember that the amount of exercise needed to gain these benefits may vary between individuals and genders. Therefore, it is always advisable to maintain a regular and balanced exercise routine tailored to your personal health needs and goals.