Exercise Benefits Women as They Age

Scientists have discovered that women can continue to reap the rewards of exercise into their 20s and have improved heart health throughout their lives.

Exercise has always been known to help people with both physical and mental health. Now, scientists suggest that exercise can help women later in life.

Exercise is one of the most important things one can do for health. One's capacity to carry out everyday duties and maintain a healthy weight may all be boosted by physical activity, which may also strengthen your bones and muscles and enhance your mental health.

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According to the CDC, adults who spend less time sitting and exercising at any intensity between moderate and intense have some health benefits. Few other lifestyle choices impact your health more than physical activity.

How did the team conduct the research?

The University of Queensland School of Public Health's Professor Gita Mishra and NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow Dr. Gregore Iven Mielke examined longitudinal data from 479 women who reported their levels of physical activity every three years from their early 20s to their mid-40s.

We wanted to investigate if women might 'grow' their physical activity, like bank savings, for improved cardiovascular health.

Dr. Mielke

They reported that the most active women in their 40s had a resting heart rate of, on average, about 72 beats per minute (bpm).

As noted by Mielke, the average heart rate for women who were the least active from their 20s to 40s was 78 bpm. Even though the difference might appear negligible, earlier research revealed that even a 1 bpm rise in resting heart rate was linked to a higher death risk.

A lower resting heart rate, he said, typically indicates that your heart is functioning more effectively and as it should.

Per the findings, women who engage in regular physical exercise before menopause seem to gain from cardiovascular health, regardless of the date. It demonstrates the need for public health campaigns to encourage women in their 20s and 30s to lead active lifestyles since the benefits for their health last far into old age.

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Experts say that it is crucial to learn more about the possible consequences of accumulated physical activity.

Especially for women, according to Mielke, pregnancy and childbirth significantly influence physical activity levels.

He concludes: "Few other studies have used life course epidemiology models to explore the extent to which accumulating physical activity throughout life is important for preventing diseases."

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