Women benefit more from exercise than men, new research says

A recent study challenges the notion that men and women reap the same rewards from equivalent levels of physical activity, suggesting that women experience greater benefits than men from the same amount of regular exercise. Addressing traditional barriers faced by women in prioritizing exercise, researchers aim to shift this narrative, highlighting that, especially for women, every small effort makes a significant difference.

The study

Conducted by researchers from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University in China, the study analyzed 412,413 participants without underlying health issues who were recruited between 1997 and 2017. By December 2019, 39,935 participants had passed away, with 11,670 deaths attributed to cardiovascular causes.

The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, revealed a significant gender difference in the benefits derived from regular exercise.  While a higher proportion of men engaged in physical activity and strengthening exercises, the mortality risk reduction associated with exercise was more pronounced in women.

For women, as little as 140 minutes of moderate exercise per week resulted in an 18 per cent lower risk of premature death from any cause, compared to their inactive counterparts. In contrast, men needed a substantial 300 minutes of similar exercise to achieve a comparable reduction in risk.

According to Canadian guidelines, adults, including seniors, should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, coupled with muscle-strengthening activities twice a week. Despite these recommendations, studies consistently show that girls and women tend to engage in less physical activity than their male counterparts. Researchers hope their findings could boost efforts to close the “gender gap” by motivating women to take part in any regular leisure-time physical activity.

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Takeaway for runners

If you’re tight on time, this research is good news, and the researchers hope it empowers women who may face barriers to exercise, emphasizing that even relatively small amounts can yield significant health benefits.

The study emphasized that it does not suggest women should exercise less. A 300-minute threshold emerged as the point of maximum benefits, but even smaller doses showcased statistically significant differences between men and women.

Dr. Susan Chen, co-author of the study, hopes the findings encourage women to embark on their own path to success, assuring them that every bit of progress counts. “We hope that perhaps just understanding this one concept can help some women who may feel too busy or too intimidated to take on a new exercise routine and know they do not need to compare how much or how hard they are working to men, or anyone else, for that matter,” she said. The research challenges stereotypes around exercise, highlighting that when it comes to longevity and health, men and women may experience different outcomes from the same fitness investments.