The benefits of exercise in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease are endless, according to a new study.
The researchers found that physical activity is not only associated with a lower risk for developing cardiovascular disease but the greatest benefit has been seen for those who are active at the highest level.
The most active (in the top 25%) had an average reduction in risk between 48% and 57%, the research suggests.
The scientists from Oxford University say their findings have an important impact on clinical practice and guidance on the level of physical activity that people should aim for.
Professor Aiden Doherty, from Oxford Nuffield University’s population health department and one of the study’s lead authors, said: “This is the largest ever study of physical activity measured by mechanical and cardiovascular disease.
“It shows that physical activity is even more important in preventing cardiovascular disease than we previously thought.
“Our findings place additional emphasis on new WHO guidelines on physical activity that recommend at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity per week for adults.”
Professor Terry Dwyer, from Oxford University’s Department of Women’s Health and Reproductive Health in Nuffield, said: “The results of this study add confidence that physical activity tends to be an important means of preventing cardiovascular disease. .
“The potential risk reduction by those engaging in activity levels is very high and justifies more emphasis on measures to increase levels of physical activity in the community. ”
Researchers used accelerators (wear devices) to track the activity of more than 90,000 participants over five years.
They found that physical activity is not only associated with a lower risk for developing cardiovascular disease but the greatest benefit has been seen for those who are active at the highest level.
Over the next five years, 3,617 of the participants were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease – 3,305 non-fatal and 312 fatal.
This included 2,220 men and 1,397 women.
In the participants, as the level of moderate and vigorous physical activity increased, cases of cardiovascular disease decreased, with no threshold at which the effect of exercise ceased improving cardiovascular health.
The protective effect of physical activity against cardiovascular disease was 48% -57% for those in the top quartile of physical activity, 49% -59% for those in the top quartile of moderate-intensity activity, and 54% -63% for those in the top quartile of intense activity.
The results of the study, published in Plos Medicine, were similar for men and women, although the benefits of vigorous exercise appeared to be particularly strong for women.
While those who exercised more were more likely to avoid smoking, healthy BMI and moderate alcohol, the researchers adjusted for these factors and found that the link between increased exercise and a reduction in cardiovascular disease remains strong.
They say these results show that exercise alone has a significant impact on cardiovascular disease risk.
The study was based on 90,211 healthy Biobank participants in the UK, from across England, Wales and Scotland.