Least fit people need to do more exercise than fittest to get same benefit – study

Research appears to challenge previous studies but some experts call aspects of it ‘misguided’

People who are the least fit need to do 30-50 minutes more exercise a week than the fittest to get the same reduction in cardiovascular risk, according to research.

Researchers examined data from more than 17,000 British adults taking part in the UK Biobank study. They completed a cycle test to measure their baseline cardiorespiratory fitness (estimated VO₂ max) and wore a fitness tracker for a week to record typical exercise levels.