Vigorous exercise, good for men

Thu Oct 6, 2011 4:8PM GMT

Reddit

Men who are engaged in vigorous exercise three times a week have a significantly lower risk of heart disease and higher blood levels of vitamin D.

A new study showed that men who regularly do moderate intensity exercise have significantly lower risk of developing a heart attack because they have better levels of several factors involved in cardiovascular disease such as good cholesterol and vitamin D.

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health gathered data on activity levels from a group of 400 adult men who had had a heart attack and 800 male peers with healthy hearts taken as a control group.

Participants also took blood tests for measuring blood levels of biomarkers such as insulin sensitivity, cholesterol levels and markers of inflammation. They were asked to complete a questionnaire twice a year about their regular physical activity especially during leisure times.

After 10 years of follow-up, analyses showed that men who were doing vigorous exercise such as jogging, running or playing football for three or more hours a week reduced their risk of a heart attack by 22 percent compared to their inactive counterparts.

Vigorous exercise was also associated with higher levels of HDL or good cholesterol, which accounted for 38 percent of the decreased heart disease risk.

Moderate level physical activity was also associated with higher levels of vitamin D and lower levels of hemoglobin A1c which is a marker of diabetes risk, says the report published in the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

“The fact that vitamin D plays a role in the relationship between exercise and risk of heart disease is a new finding,” said senior researcher Andrea Chomistek.

“This likely comes from being outside more. People who exercise tend to be out in the sun, which raises their vitamin D level. I don't think you'd get the same increase in vitamin D by staying inside and running on the treadmill.”

The new article came out just a few days after researchers said that middle-aged women who are engaged in moderate physical activity feel happier and are more likely to continue working out.

"Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your health, especially your heart health," Chomistek said.

She suggested that although the study participants were only men, the findings may also apply to women because previous studies have shown that women get similar heart-health benefits from regular exercise.

SJM/TE