Study suggests far more weekly exercise may be needed for strong heart protection
Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine indicates that achieving substantial cardiovascular protection may require about 560 to 610 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity each week, far exceeding current guidelines.
Scientists examined data from 17,088 adults in the UK Biobank, measuring physical activity with wrist-worn devices and estimating cardiorespiratory fitness via VO2 max. Over an average follow-up of 7.8 years, 1,233 cardiovascular events were recorded, including atrial fibrillation, heart attacks, heart failure and strokes. Meeting the current guideline of 150 minutes per one outlet corresponded to an 8-9% risk reduction, while 560-610 minutes per one outlet was associated with a drop of over 30% in cardiovascular events.
Participants with lower fitness required about 30-50 extra minutes weekly compared with highly fit peers to reach comparable benefits. The authors note the study’s observational nature limits causal claims but suggest future guidelines might differentiate between minimal and optimal activity levels.
Why it matters
Understanding the true amount of exercise needed can help people and policymakers set more effective heart-health targets.
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