Least fit people need significantly more exercise to gain same heart benefits, study finds
Health
May 20, 2026

Least fit people need significantly more exercise to gain same heart benefits, study finds

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B1 Pre-Intermediate
0:000:46

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A new study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that people with very low fitness levels may need more exercise to get the same heart health benefits as fitter people. The research found that these individuals should do an extra 30 to 50 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity each week.

Current health recommendations, such as from the World Health Organization, suggest at least 150 minutes of exercise per week for adults. However, this study suggests that amount may not be enough for those who are less fit, because their bodies respond differently.

Experts say these results are important for making better public health advice. They suggest exercise plans should depend on a person’s own fitness level to help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Vocabulary

6 words
Accent
benefitsN/ˈbɛnɪfɪts/

positive results gained from an action

recommendationsN/ˌrɛkəmenˈdeɪʃənz/

official suggestions about what to do

moderateADJ/ˈmɒdərət/

not extreme; medium in strength or amount

respondV/rɪˈspɒnd/

react or behave in a certain way

resultsN/rɪˈzʌlts/

outcomes or effects produced by actions

differentlyADV/ˈdɪfərəntli/

in another or a unique way

Ready to learn these 6 words?

About 8 minutes · 5 activities

Reading Quizzes

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Question 1 of 9
1 / 9

What did the new study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine find about people with low fitness?

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Great for IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, IB, A-Level and everyday English speaking practice.

Speaking Tasks

5 questions

Least fit people need significantly more exercise to gain same heart benefits, study finds

May 20, 2026~1 min read
Not sure? Take the level test →
B1 Pre-Intermediate
0:000:46

Follow spoken words in real time.

A new study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that people with very low fitness levels may need more exercise to get the same heart health benefits as fitter people. The research found that these individuals should do an extra 30 to 50 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity each week.

Current health recommendations, such as from the World Health Organization, suggest at least 150 minutes of exercise per week for adults. However, this study suggests that amount may not be enough for those who are less fit, because their bodies respond differently.

Experts say these results are important for making better public health advice. They suggest exercise plans should depend on a person’s own fitness level to help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Vocabulary

6 words
Accent
benefitsN/ˈbɛnɪfɪts/

positive results gained from an action

recommendationsN/ˌrɛkəmenˈdeɪʃənz/

official suggestions about what to do

moderateADJ/ˈmɒdərət/

not extreme; medium in strength or amount

respondV/rɪˈspɒnd/

react or behave in a certain way

resultsN/rɪˈzʌlts/

outcomes or effects produced by actions

differentlyADV/ˈdɪfərəntli/

in another or a unique way

Ready to learn these 6 words?

About 8 minutes · 5 activities

Reading Quizzes

9 questions
Question 1 of 9
1 / 9

What did the new study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine find about people with low fitness?

Choose an answer to continue

Great for IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, IB, A-Level and everyday English speaking practice.

Speaking Tasks

5 questions