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If you work out enough to break a sweat, and do it regularly, you are less likely to have a stroke compared to people who are physically inactive, researchers from the University of South Australia and the University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA, reported in the journal Stroke.
Dr Michelle McDonnell and colleagues found that self-reported physically inactive people have a 20% higher risk of stroke or mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack) compared to those who exercise enough to break a sweat four or more times a week.
Previous studies have suggested that physical inactivity is the second most important risk factor for stroke, after hypertension (high blood pressure). The authors said that their study was the first to "quantify protective effects of physical activity on stroke in a large multiracial group of men and women in the United States."
The authors explained that studies have looked extensively into the stroke-protecting benefits of less cigarette smoking, even down to how much people can reduce their risk by smoking one cigarette less per day. The same extensive research has been done on blood pressure.
Even though the sample population all came from one country, the USA, the researchers said their findings are relevant in other countries.
McDonnel and team followed more than 27,000 Americans for an average of 5.7 years, they were all aged 47 or more years.
The participants were part of the REGARDS study (Reasons for Geographic and Ethnic Differences in Stroke). The sample population included equal numbers of males and females, as well as Caucasians and African-Americans.
The sample population included proportionally more people from the southeast "Stroke Belt" states. The "stroke belt" is an area in the USA where strokes are significantly more common than the rest of the country (Virginia, Tennessee, South and North Carolinas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, and Alabama). The "southern diet", which consists mainly of fatty-fried foods rich in salt, is popular in the stroke belt. The southern diet has been linked to a higher risk of stroke.
The volunteers reported on how often they did exercise. The study did not, however, include details on how long each exercise session lasted.
Below are some highlighted data from the study:
One third of all the people studied said they exercised less than once a week
Those who exercised less than once a week had a 20% higher chance of experiencing a stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack)
The men who exercised moderately or vigorously - enough to break a sweat - four times a week or more were less likely to have a stroke.
There was a less clear association between vigorous physical activity and stroke risk among the female participants.
Dr. McDonnell said:
"The stroke-lowering benefits of physical activity are related to its impact on other risk factors. Exercise reduces blood pressure, weight and diabetes. If exercise was a pill, you'd be taking one pill to treat four or five different conditions."
Why was the association not clear with women? - McDonnel believes this is because women might get benefit with less vigorous exercise, such as walking. The study did not focus on less vigorous physical activities. An article published in Stroke in January 2013 reported that walking reduces stroke risk in women.
According to the American Heart Association, people aged 18 to 65 should:
Exercise moderately at least five times a week for 30+ minutes per session
or..
Exercise vigorously at least three times a week for 20+ minutes per session
plus..
Dr Michelle McDonnell and colleagues found that self-reported physically inactive people have a 20% higher risk of stroke or mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack) compared to those who exercise enough to break a sweat four or more times a week.
Previous studies have suggested that physical inactivity is the second most important risk factor for stroke, after hypertension (high blood pressure). The authors said that their study was the first to "quantify protective effects of physical activity on stroke in a large multiracial group of men and women in the United States."
The authors explained that studies have looked extensively into the stroke-protecting benefits of less cigarette smoking, even down to how much people can reduce their risk by smoking one cigarette less per day. The same extensive research has been done on blood pressure.
Even though the sample population all came from one country, the USA, the researchers said their findings are relevant in other countries.
McDonnel and team followed more than 27,000 Americans for an average of 5.7 years, they were all aged 47 or more years.
The participants were part of the REGARDS study (Reasons for Geographic and Ethnic Differences in Stroke). The sample population included equal numbers of males and females, as well as Caucasians and African-Americans.
The sample population included proportionally more people from the southeast "Stroke Belt" states. The "stroke belt" is an area in the USA where strokes are significantly more common than the rest of the country (Virginia, Tennessee, South and North Carolinas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, and Alabama). The "southern diet", which consists mainly of fatty-fried foods rich in salt, is popular in the stroke belt. The southern diet has been linked to a higher risk of stroke.
The volunteers reported on how often they did exercise. The study did not, however, include details on how long each exercise session lasted.
Below are some highlighted data from the study:
One third of all the people studied said they exercised less than once a week
Those who exercised less than once a week had a 20% higher chance of experiencing a stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack)
The men who exercised moderately or vigorously - enough to break a sweat - four times a week or more were less likely to have a stroke.
There was a less clear association between vigorous physical activity and stroke risk among the female participants.
Dr. McDonnell said:
"The stroke-lowering benefits of physical activity are related to its impact on other risk factors. Exercise reduces blood pressure, weight and diabetes. If exercise was a pill, you'd be taking one pill to treat four or five different conditions."
Why was the association not clear with women? - McDonnel believes this is because women might get benefit with less vigorous exercise, such as walking. The study did not focus on less vigorous physical activities. An article published in Stroke in January 2013 reported that walking reduces stroke risk in women.
According to the American Heart Association, people aged 18 to 65 should:
Exercise moderately at least five times a week for 30+ minutes per session
or..
Exercise vigorously at least three times a week for 20+ minutes per session
plus..
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