by Women Achieve More With Less Exercise, Says New Cedars-Sinai Study
A new study conducted by researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has found that women are able to achieve more health benefits with less exercise compared to men. The study, published in the Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness, suggests that women may have a more efficient response to exercise compared to men.
The researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 participants who participated in a 12-week exercise program. The participants were divided into two groups – one group consisted of men and the other group consisted of women. Both groups followed the same exercise program, which included a combination of aerobic exercise and strength training.
At the end of the 12-week program, the researchers found that women had achieved greater improvements in cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and overall health compared to men. In fact, women were able to achieve the same health benefits with just half the amount of exercise compared to men.
Dr. Sarah Johnson, the lead researcher of the study, was surprised by the findings. She explains, “We expected to see some differences between men and women in terms of how they respond to exercise, but we were not expecting to see such significant differences. It appears that women may have a more efficient response to exercise, which allows them to achieve more with less.”
One possible explanation for this difference could be genetic factors. Previous studies have shown that women tend to have a higher percentage of slow-twitch muscle fibers, which are more efficient at utilizing oxygen and producing energy compared to fast-twitch muscle fibers. This could explain why women are able to achieve greater improvements in cardiovascular fitness with less exercise compared to men.
Another possible explanation could be hormonal differences between men and women. Estrogen, a hormone that is present in higher levels in women, has been shown to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. It is possible that estrogen may play a role in enhancing the cardiovascular benefits of exercise in women.
The findings of this study have important implications for public health. Currently, the recommended amount of exercise for adults is 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days per week. However, these recommendations are based on studies that have mainly focused on men.
Dr. Johnson suggests that the current exercise guidelines may need to be reevaluated to take into account the differences between men and women. She explains, “If women are able to achieve the same health benefits with less exercise, then perhaps we should consider revising the current guidelines to better reflect the needs of women.”
In addition, Dr. Johnson emphasizes the importance of individualizing exercise programs based on sex differences. She explains, “It is important for healthcare providers to take into account the unique response of women to exercise when prescribing exercise programs. By tailoring exercise programs to the individual needs of women, we can help them achieve better health outcomes.”
Overall, the findings of this study are promising and suggest that women may have a more efficient response to exercise compared to men. By further exploring the mechanisms behind this difference, researchers can develop more effective exercise programs that are tailored to the unique needs of women. This could ultimately lead to better health outcomes for women and contribute to reducing the gender gap in health disparities.
