More does not always mean the best. This maxim can be applied to physical exercise and its cardiovascular health benefits. Two studies published in “Heart” suggest that the benefits of physical activity have a J-shaped curve. According to the first of the two studies, too much high intensity exercise may actually increase the risk of death from a heart attack or stroke in patients with existing heart disease. In the other study, conducted in Sweden, it is suggested that young men who engage in resistance exercise for more than 5 hours a week may increase their risk of developing a cardiac arrhythmia during their lifetime.
According to the studies the ‘J’ curve for the benefits of exercise would mean that ‘more does not always mean better’; But above all these two new works raise disturbing questions about the intensity and duration of physical activity in different moments of life, according to an editorial accompanying the studies of Hospital in Barcelona .
More on Research
The Spanish researchers point out that while it seems “contradictory” to think that physical activity could aggravate heart disease, other smaller studies have already suggested this possibility related to “resistance training, in particular that linked to a pro-inflammatory state Acute (reversible).
In the first study, conducted at the German Cancer Research Center (Germany), researchers recorded the frequency and intensity of physical activity and the 10-year survival of over 1,000 people with stable coronary heart disease. All participants, most of whom were ‘sixties’, had participated in a cardiac rehabilitation program to protect themselves from a second heart attack or stroke.
According to current guidelines it is recommended that heart disease patients should do up to one hour of moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least five times a week. In the study, about 40% performed a physical activity 2-4 times a week; 30% made more exercise and the other 30% less. And one in 10 participants acknowledged never exercising or rarely.
Results
The researchers also found that the frequency of physical activity tended to decrease over the monitoring period, although it remained stable for those physically active (2-4 times a week).
When they analyzed the results they were surprised. After taking into account other factors that could influence the data, they found that those who engaged in strenuous exercise on a daily basis were more than twice as likely to die from a heart attack or stroke as those who also exercised, More moderately. That is, they were as likely to die from a cardio and cerebrovascular event as those who did “no physical activity.”
Outdoor sports you can still practice in the fall
Breathing the fresh air that autumn brings us is a very pleasant incentive when we are exercising outdoors. If we choose the city for our activity, let us try to do it in moments when there are not many cars to breathe a more pure air. A park, the outskirts of the city or the countryside itself will offer a fresh and clean autumn air, especially after the rain.
Sports in cold weather
We must also take into account that with this incipient cold it is necessary to take precautions and not to trust us, since at half time we do not take into account that precisely the change of temperature is what can take us to comply. Remember to wear appropriate clothing to maintain a proper body temperature when stopping the exercise and in case you catch the cold or rain and especially. For this is important a light raincoat that also cuts the wind. Otherwise, cover our throat, head and hands and wear clothes that keep moisture from remaining in it.
Many times the sudden arrival of the cold and the end of summer causes us melancholy, sadness or bad mood. Well you know: the best remedy against these feelings is to go out now that it is not too hot as in the summer months and practice sports that make us enjoy nature to the fullest.
