Results Of A New Study: 150 Minutes Of Exercise Per Week Is Not Enough

According to SAEDNEWS, for years the general recommendation for maintaining heart health has been at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. But now, the results of a new study suggest that this amount may not be enough for serious heart protection.

Researchers say that if the goal is to significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and premature death, many people need to exercise far more than previously believed.

According to Medical Express, researchers in a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine stated that achieving more than a 30 percent reduction in cardiovascular disease risk requires about 560 to 610 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week — nearly three to four times the current recommendation.

The study was conducted on more than 17,000 people with an average age of 57. Participants recorded their daily physical activity for one week using wearable devices, and their cardiorespiratory fitness levels were later assessed through specialized testing. Researchers also considered factors such as blood pressure, body mass index, smoking habits, and diet in their final analysis.

The results showed that people who followed the common recommendation of 150 minutes of exercise per week experienced only an 8 to 9 percent reduction in cardiovascular disease risk. However, achieving stronger protection required a significant increase in exercise duration — a target reached by only 12 percent of participants.

Another important finding was that not all bodies respond to exercise equally. Individuals with lower physical fitness needed to exercise longer to achieve the same level of heart protection.

Researchers believe that the “one-size-fits-all” exercise prescription is no longer sufficient and should be replaced with personalized goals based on each individual’s fitness level.