Health Benefits of Vigorous Workouts

“Exercising vigorously a few hours a week may lower the risk of a heart attack, according to a 10-year study. Middle-aged men who spent three hours or more a week jogging, bicycling, swimming, rowing, doing aerobics, or playing tennis, squash, or racquetball had a 22 percent lower risk of a heart attack than men who stayed on the couch.  The researchers found that the vigorous exercisers had higher levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol and vitamin D, plus lower blood glucose levels.  More research is needed to see how each of these factors contributes to heart health.” Source:Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, October 2011