THE health benefits of being physically active are far greater for people who are naturally unfit, according to scientists at Glasgow University.
In a study of almost 500,000 participants from the UK Biobank, the researchers found the benefits of being physically active, including decreased risk of mortality and heart disease, were far greater for weaklings – officially described as “those with low levels of fitness or poor grip strength”.
The study found people with high fitness or strength levels were at low risk of premature mortality and cardiovascular disease whether they had high or low levels of physical activity.
A high level of fitness – characterised as the ability of the body to deliver oxygen to the muscles so that they can do work – and a high level of strength are both known to be associated with reduced risk of mortality.
Current UK guidelines suggest all adults should engage in 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week, and public health strategies currently target everyone who is inactive to increase their physical activity level.
However the researchers, from the Institutes of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences and Health and Wellbeing, suggest a more targeted campaign at those who are unfit or have low grip strength could increase the clinical, and potentially cost, effectiveness of interventions.
But they say it is “possible” those with low fitness or strength may “enjoy physical activity less” than those people who are naturally fit and strong., so it may be important to develop strategies to also help support their engagement in physical activity.
Dr Jason Gill, Reader in Exercise and Metabolic Health in the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences at the University, said: “Our data showed that the benefits of being physically active were far greater in those with low levels of fitness or grip strength. Those with high fitness or strength were at low risk whether or not they had a high level of physical activity.”
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