Staying active in your 20s could give you a healthier heart later on, according to a new study from The University of Queensland.
Dr. Gregore Iven Mielke and Professor Gita Mishra examined long-term data from women to see if exercise early in life has lasting benefits for heart health.
Their findings suggest that an active lifestyle at a younger age can offer meaningful health advantages, even decades later.
What the Researchers Looked At
The team studied information from 479 women who tracked their exercise habits from their early 20s to their mid-40s. The women reported on their physical activity levels every three years.
The study’s goal was to understand whether staying active at a younger age could be like “banking” health benefits for the future, specifically for the heart.
What They Found
Women who were the most active in their younger years had an average resting heart rate of about 72 beats per minute (bpm) by their 40s.
On the other hand, women who had been less active had a resting heart rate of roughly 78 bpm. While this difference might seem minor, even a 1 bpm increase in resting heart rate has been linked to a higher risk of dying early.
Dr. Mielke said a lower resting heart rate usually indicates that your heart is working more efficiently.
He explained that these findings suggest being active when you’re younger can have long-lasting benefits for your heart, even before menopause.
Why This Matters
This study is especially important for women, as life events like pregnancy and raising kids can often reduce time available for exercise.
The researchers used data from a bigger, ongoing study that has been keeping track of the health of 57,000 Australian women for over 20 years.
Their research adds to the understanding of how accumulating exercise throughout life can help in preventing diseases.
The message is clear: it’s never too early to start thinking about your heart health. For women, being active in your 20s and 30s can provide benefits that you’ll feel later in life.
Public health programs should focus on encouraging young women to embrace an active lifestyle, not just for immediate well-being but for long-term heart health as well.
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The research findings can be found in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health.
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