Contrary to some previous studies, findings of this study published in the journal Neurology state that lighter exercises like golfing, bowling or walking do not have the same effect.
A stroke occurs due to a disturbance in the blood supply to part of the brain, causing brain cells to die. This leads to the inability to move, or understand or formulate speech or inability to see one part of the visual field.
3298 people studied
To find out whether vigorous exercises cuts the risk of a stroke, researchers carried out a study on 3298 people living in northern Manhattan, New York, with an average age of 69.
The participants were followed for nearly nine years, which recorded 238 strokes.
Of the total participants, 41 percent reported that they had never participated in a physical activity. However, regular moderate to heavy-intensive exercises were undertaken by nearly 20 percent of the subjects.
Heavy exercises found to reduce risk of stroke in men
After analyzing the exercising activities of all the participants, the team found that men who participated in moderate to vigorous fitness regimen were 63 percent less likely to have a stroke compared to others taking no physical activity.
"Taking part in moderate-to-heavy intensity physical activity may be an important factor in preventing stroke,” lead researcher Joshua Z. Willey, MD, of Columbia University Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital at Columbia, said.
"A large percentage of the participants were not taking part in any physical activities. This may be true of many elderly people who live in cities. Identifying ways to improve physical activity among these people may be a key goal for public health," Willey added.
The researchers also noted that, unlike men, women undergoing vigorous physical activity did not experience reduced risk of stroke.
More research needed
Researchers, however, maintained that larger trials are needed to reveal why exactly a vigorous regimen is more beneficial than a lighter one.
The present study could not clearly identify the minor differences in the group which undertook only lighter physical activities.
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