Researchers at Texas Presbyterian Hospital conducted a study that revealed exercise truly is the best medicine for heart health.
For their study, researchers asked 12 “ordinary Joes and Janes” to partake in a year-long exercise program. The 12 participants were classified as sedentary individuals prior to taking part in the study. Participants were asked to do 30 to 45 minutes of brisk exercise each week, which was classified as walking, jogging, swimming or cycling.
After a few months of regular exercise researchers asked participants to gradually increase their exercise intensity and duration. Nine months into the trial researchers asked the 12 individuals to add a long run to their weekly exercise routine. Participants also received frequent MRI scans and underwent cardiac catheterization at the beginning and end of the study.
At the end of 12 months, researchers were astounded by what they saw, especially in regards to heart health. Researchers said the right and left ventricles underwent structural changes similar to what is expressed in elite-level athletes. Right ventricle mass and volume increased significantly and immediately. Researchers noticed a similar change in the left ventricle after participants began increasing their duration and intensity. At the end of the study, 10 of the 12 formerly sedentary individuals completed a full marathon, one individual completed a 100-mile cycling event, and the final person completed a triathlon.
Dr. Silverman comments
Simply put, there is no better prescription than regular exercise. There’s not a pill in the world that you can take for a year and then be able to complete a marathon or triathlon. If you put in the work, you’ll see fantastic results in terms of your health.
I commend the researchers and the participants for conducting and taking part in the study. There are plenty of studies on the benefits of exercise, but few increase duration and intensity throughout the study, and even less have participants set an end of study fitness goal. It’s great that all 12 participants were able to complete their end of study goal. If they can do it, you can too.
Related source: Medscape
