N※N

Men May Need More Exercise Than Women for Heart Health, New Research Suggests

78

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. omen-for-heart-health-new-research-suggests.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Saturday, December 27th 2025 at 18:05 GMT by Healthline

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-27 179 x 224 / 6977 Bytes

2025-12-27 179 x 224 / 10559 Bytes

2025-12-27 179 x 224 / 8649 Bytes

2025-12-27 179 x 224 / 9800 Bytes

The Extra Mile: Why Men Might Need More Exercise Than Women for Heart Health

For decades, public health guidelines have largely recommended a “one-size-fits-all” approach to exercise for both men and women – typically 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week. However, emerging research is challenging this assumption, suggesting that men may require significantly more physical activity than women to achieve comparable cardiovascular benefits. The reasons behind this discrepancy are complex and rooted in biological differences, lifestyle factors, and how exercise impacts the heart differently in each sex.

The Healthline article, "Heart Health: Men Need More Exercise Than Women," dives into this evolving understanding, exploring the science behind why men may need to push themselves harder – or for longer – to safeguard their heart health. It’s not about shaming women or suggesting they are less capable; rather, it's a call for more personalized and nuanced exercise recommendations based on sex-specific physiological responses.

The Biology Behind the Difference: Estrogen & Beyond

At the core of this difference lies estrogen. Women naturally possess higher levels of estrogen than men, which provides inherent cardiovascular protection. Estrogen positively influences cholesterol profiles (increasing HDL – "good" cholesterol – and decreasing LDL – "bad" cholesterol), improves blood vessel function by promoting nitric oxide production (which relaxes blood vessels), and has anti-inflammatory effects that protect against arterial plaque buildup. These benefits essentially provide a buffer, meaning women may experience some heart health advantages with less intense or shorter bouts of exercise compared to men.

However, the story isn't solely about estrogen. Men tend to have larger hearts and higher muscle mass than women. This means their cardiovascular system works harder overall, demanding more from it. Furthermore, men are also statistically more prone to certain heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure and obesity, which can further exacerbate the need for greater physical activity to mitigate these risks. As explained in a study cited by Healthline, research has shown that women may experience improved endothelial function (the lining of blood vessels) with even relatively low levels of exercise, while men might require more intense or prolonged exertion to achieve similar results.

The Research: Quantifying the Gap

Several studies are contributing to this evolving understanding. One key piece of evidence comes from a 2023 study published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. This research analyzed data from over 50,000 adults and found that men needed to exercise significantly more than women to see comparable improvements in arterial stiffness – a critical marker for heart health. Specifically, men appeared to need roughly twice the amount of moderate-intensity exercise as women to achieve similar results.

The article highlights that this isn't just about aerobic activity. Resistance training also plays a crucial role. While both sexes benefit from strength training, it’s suggested that men might require heavier weights or more repetitions to elicit the same degree of cardiovascular adaptation. This is because resistance training can improve blood pressure and insulin sensitivity – key factors in heart disease prevention – and these benefits may be less pronounced in women with their naturally protective hormonal profile.

Beyond the Numbers: Lifestyle Considerations & Future Directions

While biological differences provide a foundational explanation, lifestyle factors also contribute to the discrepancy. Men are often more likely to engage in high-intensity activities or physically demanding jobs, which might necessitate higher exercise levels for recovery and overall cardiovascular maintenance. Furthermore, societal norms and expectations can influence activity levels; men may feel pressure to "prove" their fitness through rigorous workouts.

The Healthline article emphasizes that these findings should not be interpreted as a directive for women to reduce their exercise efforts. Instead, they underscore the need for more personalized recommendations. Future research is likely to focus on developing sex-specific guidelines that consider factors like age, genetics, and individual risk profiles. This might involve tailoring intensity, duration, or type of exercise based on biological characteristics.

Practical Implications & Takeaways

So, what does this mean for the average person? Here are some key takeaways:

• Men should pay close attention to their heart health: Given their higher risk factors and potentially greater need for exercise, men shouldn't shy away from pushing themselves within safe limits.
• Women shouldn’t feel pressured to over-exercise: The inherent cardiovascular benefits women receive through estrogen remain valuable. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular physical activity is still crucial.
• Personalization is key: It’s always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or certified exercise physiologist to develop an individualized exercise plan that considers your specific needs and goals.
• Listen to your body: Regardless of sex, paying attention to how your body responds to exercise is paramount. Signs of overexertion should be heeded, and adjustments made accordingly.

The evolving understanding of sex differences in exercise response highlights the importance of moving beyond generalized recommendations towards a more personalized approach to heart health. While estrogen provides women with some inherent advantages, men may need to work harder – literally – to achieve comparable cardiovascular benefits. This isn't about creating separate fitness camps; it’s about optimizing everyone’s journey toward a healthier heart.

Disclaimer: I am an AI chatbot and cannot provide medical advice. This summary is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical guidance.