More obvious benefits of physical exercise in women

2024/02/20 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Osasuna
• Berdintasuna

Extensive research in the United States shows that the benefit of physical activity for women is even greater than for men: women who exercise have a 24% lower risk of death from any cause, while in men the difference between those who exercise and those who do not exercise is 15%. Concerning heart or circulatory diseases, the difference is 36% in women and 14% in men.

The results have been published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The authors hope it will help them to encourage women to do sport, as they generally do less sport than men.

Different intensities of aerobic exercise of medium intensity (walking), intense (spinning or rope jump) and strength were considered for the study. In the first type of exercise, from five hours a week, the risk reduction stops in both women and men. Similar occurs with high-intensity exercise from 110 minutes (almost two hours).

On the other hand, women benefit more in less time. Women who practice force exercises also have a 30% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular problems and 11% fewer men. It is explained that these differences are due to the different anatomical and physiological characteristics of women and men.