New Study Suggests Exercise Benefits Women’s Health More Than Men’s
The advantages of regular exercise are widely acknowledged, but a recent study indicates that women may reap even greater rewards from physical activity than men.
Dr. Susan Cheng, senior author of the study and director of the Institute for Research on Healthy Aging in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, highlights that women seem to require less exercise to achieve comparable benefits to men. In essence, women may gain more from their exercise efforts than men do, suggesting a significant gender difference in the outcomes of physical activity.
Despite recommendations for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week for adults, many fail to meet these targets. The study, which surveyed over 400,000 adults in the US, tracked mortality rates over a span of two years following the participants’ self-reported exercise habits. Results showed a distinct advantage for women: those who exercised for at least 150 minutes per week experienced a 24% reduced risk of mortality, compared to a 15% reduction in men.
Moreover, women exhibited a 36% lower risk of cardiovascular events with regular exercise, compared to a 14% decrease in men. Strikingly, women reached their optimal risk reduction with just 140 minutes of exercise per week, whereas men required 300 minutes to achieve similar benefits.
While the study was observational and couldn’t establish causation, it underscores the importance of regular physical activity for overall health. Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health, emphasizes the underutilization of physical activity as a treatment and calls for greater emphasis on lifestyle interventions in healthcare.
Understanding the disparities in exercise benefits between men and women requires consideration of both physiological and societal factors. Women’s physiology may respond differently to exercise stimuli, leading to faster and more significant gains in muscle strength compared to men. Additionally, historical disparities in exercise opportunities and societal norms may influence exercise habits.
Ultimately, the study reinforces the importance of personalized approaches to healthcare, tailoring recommendations based on individual characteristics such as sex, size, and ethnicity. Regardless of these differences, the message remains clear: any amount of exercise is beneficial, and small changes can lead to significant health improvements.
