Researchers from the University of Sydney have found that short bursts of high-intensity exercise throughout the day, known as vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA), can lower a person’s risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). This study analyzed data from over 103,000 middle-aged men and women with an average age of 61. The results showed that female participants who recorded an average of 3.4 minutes of VILPA a day were 83% more active than male participants.
The study found that even small amounts of high-intensity exercise can have a significant impact on cardiovascular health. In fact, the researchers estimated that one minute of vigorous activity could be equivalent to 20-30 minutes of moderate or low-intensity exercise. This is promising news for those who struggle with traditional exercise regimens due to time constraints or physical limitations.
Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, emphasized the importance of incorporating brief but intense physical activities into daily routines. He suggested that using environment to advantage, such as taking short walks up and down stairs, carrying heavy groceries, or performing quick exercises like jumping jacks and squats, can make a big difference.
Dr. Rigved Tadwalkar, a board-certified consultative cardiologist, also highlighted the potential of VILPA in improving cardiovascular health. He noted that the study’s findings suggest that even minimal amounts of high-intensity exercise can significantly reduce the risk of MACE in women who typically do not engage in structured exercise.
The researchers are now examining the associations of incidental physical activities of any intensity and heart disease risk. They aim to understand what is the “heart health value” of each minute of moderate and light intensity activities against each minute of vigorous activity. The study’s findings have the potential to revolutionize the way we approach cardiovascular health prevention and treatment.
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/4-or-5-minute-bouts-of-intense-exercise-may-slash-cardiovascular-risk