A study conducted by a group of scientists from China has shown that women engage in physical activity half as much as men. According to Euronews, just a few hours of sports per week can significantly improve heart health and reduce the risk of premature death.
According to the study, women benefit more from sports, especially in the context of cardiovascular health. Regular physical activity for about four hours a week can reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) by 33% in women.
To achieve a similar effect, men require almost double the amount of time—about nine hours of physical activity per week.
IHD is characterized by the narrowing or calcification of heart vessels, which impairs blood supply. Major risk factors include poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and smoking.
Even minimal physical exertion can have a positive impact: just two hours of sports a week can reduce the risk of IHD by 22% in women and by 17% in men.
Sports as a Key to Longevity
Chinese researchers also noted that regular physical activity significantly reduces the risk of death. For women who lead an active lifestyle, this risk decreases by 70%, while for men it is 19%. To achieve similar results, men need to engage in sports 70% more than women.
Overall, the more frequently a person engages in physical activity throughout the week, the lower the likelihood of developing IHD, and this applies to everyone. However, women gain more benefits from daily workouts.
It is suggested that the biological characteristics of women, including hormones and muscle structure, may explain this phenomenon. Estrogens present in women's bodies promote fat burning and protect blood vessels.
Additionally, women have more "endurance muscle fibers," while men predominantly have "fast-twitch muscle fibers." This may be the reason why women's hearts become healthier even with lower levels of exertion.
