We always remind you that physical activity is good for the body and mind. However, it seems that even in this case the “too much is good”. In fact, according to new American research, training for more than 7 and a half hours a week can be risky for your health.
We always remind you what to do physical activity is good for the body and mind. However, it seems that even in this case the “too much is good”. According to new American research, in fact, training for more than 7 and a half hours a week may be risky for health.
The results come from the Cardia study (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adult Study), conducted on a sample of 3200 people (between 18 and 30 years at the beginning of the research) analyzed for over 25 years in relation to their sports practices more or less assiduous during the week. The scholars wanted to verify how much physical activity is actually beneficial for health and what is the limit after which sport can become downright dangerous.
To do this, they divided the participants into 3 groups: those who practiced less than 150 minutes of physical activity per week, those who practiced 150 (which is what the guidelines of the World Health Organization recommend) and finally those who practiced 450 minutes a week. (i.e. over 7 and a half hours of intense activity).
What emerged is that men who play sports for more than 7 and a half hours a week, after 25 years (thus reaching the age of 50) see an 86% increase in the risk of calcification of the coronary arteries. This condition is associated with serious future health problems including heart attack and stroke.
Male and white people were most at risk, while the increase in calcium deposits in the coronary arteries was greater than 27% in the case of women and in study participants of other ethnicities who played too much sport.
At the moment these are only statistical data (the cause and effect relationship between excessive amounts of sport and calcifications of the arteries has not been proven) and further studies are undoubtedly needed to confirm the possible harmful effect of excessive doses of sport and the consequences on health.
In reality, it is not the first time that a research examines too much sport as an unhealthy habit. Already the Danish scholars of the Frederiksberg Hospital in Copenhagen after a series of experiments had found that small amounts of moderate exercise are good for us.
The results of the new study, which shake our certainties about the fact that sport is always and in all cases good, have been published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Pending further confirmations or denials, we continue to advise you to avoid a sedentary lifestyle by doing moderate physical activity every day for about 30-40 minutes (even a simple brisk walk is fine!).
On too much sport and its relationship with health, read also:
- EXERCISE: TOO HARMFUL AS SEDENTARITY. YES TO MODERATE JOGGING
- EXERCISE: IF EXTREME, IT CAN POISON BLOOD
- WHAT IS THE RIGHT DOSE OF EXERCISE TO STAY HEALTHY?
