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Summarised by Centrist
New research reveals that two or three minutes of vigorous daily exercise can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events.
The study challenges the conventional belief that only sustained, structured exercise offers health benefits.
These short, intense bursts—like climbing stairs quickly or sprinting to catch a bus—are now recognised as an important factor in improving heart health.
“We’ve shown that even small amounts of vigorous exercise can make a big difference,” said Stamatakis.
“It’s movement that gets us out of breath, gets our heart rate up,” Emmanuel Stamatakis, a researcher at the University of Sydney, explained.
This is particularly true for middle-aged women, according to the study, which analysed data from the UK Biobank and found that women saw a 45% lower risk of major cardiovascular events.
The researchers hypothesised that women may find these bursts of exercise more challenging, with their effort levels during activity averaging 83.2% of their cardiovascular fitness capacity, compared to 70.5% in men.
Stamatakis encourages healthcare professionals to adopt this simple, accessible approach in preventive care: “The entry level is very low. There are no special preparations, no special clothes, no money to spend, no time commitment.”
