Does Exercise Affect Men And Women Differently?

A new study published in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that exercise may affect men and women differently. 

It’s well known that exercise can have a positive impact on various aspects of health, including cardiovascular health, cognitive clarity, and weight management. 

However, women often engage in less physical activity compared to men, despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending that all adults aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity and 2 days a week of activities that strengthen muscles, regardless of sex. (1)

This discrepancy contributes to a “gender gap” in physical activity that begins early in life and continues into adulthood. The study aimed to explore how this gap in activity levels might relate to different health outcomes. 

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What were the key findings? 

The study followed 412,413 adults, more than half of whom were women, to observe how their physical activity levels might relate to their overall health, particularly concerning cardiovascular health.

The results indicated that leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) — defined as physical activities performed at one's discretion, such as sports, exercising, and recreational walking — may help support overall health for both women and men. (2)

Interestingly, the study found that women seemed to experience more significant benefits from the same amount of physical activity compared to men. Specifically, regular physical activity was associated with a 24% lower risk of dying from any cause for women and a 15% lower risk for men.

The study also suggested that women might start seeing benefits with less activity (140 minutes per week) compared to men (300 minutes per week). Both men and women appeared to gain the most benefit at about 300 minutes per week.

These benefits were observed regardless of the type of physical activity, including both aerobic activities (like walking or cycling) and muscle-strengthening exercises.

The implications of this study

As with any study, there are limitations. For example, the physical activity data was collected through questionnaires, which may have led to inaccurate or biased self-reporting.

Additionally, while the primary focus was on LTPA, other activities could have influenced the outcomes, especially those that vary by sex, such as household activities. 

While the methodology has its limitations, the study's findings are intriguing as they suggest that current physical activity guidelines, which do not differentiate between men and women, might benefit from personalization.

This could also encourage further research into how various factors, such as age and race, might impact individuals differently. This suggests a move towards more tailored, comprehensive approaches to healthcare. 

Key Takeaways:

• A new study suggests that physical activity may have different outcomes for men and women. 
• Specifically, women might benefit more from the same amount of physical activity compared to men.
• This implies that exercise recommendations could become more personalized in the future.