WASHINGTON, Feb 21, (Agencies): A recent study from the National Institute of Health suggests that women can derive more health benefits from regular exercise than men. According to the findings, women need approximately two and a half hours of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to achieve their "maximum survival benefit," while men require more than double that amount.

The disparities in "anatomy" and "physiology" between men and women are considered contributing factors to this phenomenon, as outlined in a press release accompanying the study. Men typically possess "increased lung capacity," "larger hearts," leaner body mass, and more "fast-twitch muscle fibers" than women. Consequently, women exert more energy and strength to execute the same movements, leading to greater health benefits, as stated in the press release.

The study emphasizes that even a modest amount of regular exercise can yield significant advantages, particularly for women. A National Institute of Health professional highlighted, "Taking some regular time out for exercise, even if it’s just 20-30 minutes of vigorous exercise a few times each week, can offer a lot more gain than they may realize."

Examining the cardiovascular health and exercise habits of over 400,000 US adults from 1997 to 2019, the study revealed that over 11,600 individuals succumbed to cardiovascular-related deaths by the end of the research period. Cardiovascular issues are the leading cause of death in the US, affecting both men and women. Notably, heart disease accounted for nearly 400,000 male deaths in 2021 alone, encompassing heart attacks, heart failure, or heart arrhythmia.

The study evaluated participants based on their adherence to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which recommends two and a half to five hours of moderate-intensity exercise or one to two and a half hours of vigorous exercise each week, coupled with two or more days of strength training. However, the researchers acknowledged limitations, including reliance on self-reported questionnaire responses and the omission of variations in different household activities.