Arteries harden with age. This increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke, especially if you lead a sedentary lifestyle. Scientists have tested how much you need to play sports to protect your heart and blood vessels from aging.
The study involved 102 people aged 60 years and older. They were divided into four categories:
- inactive - less than two 30-minute workouts per week over the past 25 years
- moderate - 2-3 training
- enthusiastic - 4–5 workouts
- Experienced - 6-7 workouts per week.
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Scientists have observed the elasticity of their arteries. It turned out that a different number of workouts affects to different arteries.
30-minute sports 2-3 times a week help to maintain in good condition medium-sized arteries that provide blood to the head and neck.
For the health of larger arteries through which blood flows to the organs of the chest and abdominal cavity, this is not enough. To protect them from aging, you need to do 4-5 times a week.
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Researchers admit that the results may not be accurate enough because they did not take into account the type of training, demographic data and lifestyle of participants, although all this significantly affects the health of the cardiovascular system . Nevertheless, they are optimistic. “This study will help develop training programs to maintain heart health, and even return the elderly’s heart and blood vessels to a younger state,” scientists say.
