A recent study suggests that engaging in up to 10 hours of exercise per week—roughly four times the currently recommended minimum—may provide optimal benefits for heart health. Current guidelines advise adults to complete at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity weekly, such as running, cycling, or brisk walking. However, researchers indicate that this baseline may offer only a modest reduction in cardiovascular risk, with substantially higher activity levels potentially yielding greater protection.

The study analyzed data from over 17,000 middle-aged adults participating in the UK BioBank, with an average age of 57. Participants wore fitness trackers for one week to record their typical exercise habits and underwent a cycle test to measure cardiorespiratory fitness, represented by VO2 max—the maximum oxygen uptake during intense exercise. The group was followed for an average of eight years, during which 1,233 cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, were recorded.

Researchers from Macao Polytechnic University in China found that those meeting the minimum physical activity guideline experienced an 8 to 9 percent reduction in the risk of cardiovascular incidents. However, greater amounts of exercise correlated with further risk decreases. The findings, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, suggest that future physical activity guidelines might need to distinguish between the minimal exercise required for basic cardiovascular safety and the significantly higher volumes necessary for optimal risk reduction.

Despite these conclusions, some experts caution against promoting such high exercise targets as a public health strategy. Aiden Doherty, professor of biomedical informatics at Oxford University, expressed concern that recommending up to 10 hours weekly may not be practical or suitable for the general population. He emphasized that maintaining the current minimum recommendation of 150 minutes remains important and that increased physical activity is beneficial, but any amount of movement contributes positively to health outcomes.

The study adds to ongoing discussions about refining exercise recommendations to balance achievable goals with maximum health benefits, underscoring the complexity of tailoring public health messages to diverse populations.