What is the upper limit of exercise?

There is no upper limit to exercise when it comes to improving cardiovascular health, the researchers found, overturning the view that beyond a certain point, vigorous physical activity no longer has a beneficial effect.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, killing nearly 18 million people each year.

A recent study published in the journal PLOS Medicine was conducted over five years, involving more than 90,000 people whose physical activity was recorded by a measuring device worn on their wrists.

The results showed that the top 25 percent of those who exercised vigorously had the lowest risk of heart disease (with an average risk reduction of 54 to 63 percent).

The top 25 percent of those who did moderate to intense exercise had an average risk reduction of 48 to 57 percent.

„This overturns the view that there is a certain point beyond which one should not train, ”said Rema Ramakrishnan, a researcher at Oxford University who was one of the leading authors of the study. He added: “There is no upper limit to physical activity when it comes to improving heart health”.

Aiden Doherty, a professor at Oxford University, said the results of the study support the WHO’s recommendation that people should do at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week.

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The researchers said the results were similar for men and women, although the benefits of strenuous exercise were particularly spectacular for women.

Although people who exercised more were more likely not to smoke, had a healthy weight, and consumed moderate amounts of alcohol, a significant association between increased exercise and lower risk of heart disease remained after these factors were taken into account.