Royal alexandra children's hospital, Hospital in Brighton, England

According to the study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, in areas where walking or cycling to work were more common in 2011, the incidence of heart attacks in UK decreased for both men and women across the following two years."Our study at the University of Leeds shows that exercise as a means of commuting to work is associated with lower levels of heart attack. The benefits of regular exercise are numerous and we support initiatives to help everyone become and stay active," said study co-author and Olympic-medal winning triathlete Alistair Brownlee.The study looked at the 2011 UK Census data, which included 43 million people aged 25-74 years employed in England, and found that 11.4 per cent were active commuters. Walking was more popular than cycling (8.6 per cent vs. 2.8 per cent).Active commuting was defined as people who reported their main mode of transport to work as either 'bicycle' or 'on foot' in the UK Census.Rates of active travel varied significantly between local authorities across England, with as few as five per cent of people walking or cycling to work in some authorities, compared to as many as 41.6 per cent in other areas.There was also a sex difference for active travel in the 2011 Census data, with more men cycling to work than women (3.8 per cent vs. 1.7 per cent), but more women walking to work than men (11.7 per cent vs. 6.0 per cent).The researchers acknowledged that the big risk factors for heart disease are a lack of exercise, being overweight, smoking and diabetes.After adjusting for these, the researchers found that active commuting was linked with additional health benefits in some cases.For women who walked to work there was an associated 1.7 per cent reduction in heart attacks the following year. For men who cycled to work there was also an associated 1.7 per cent reduction in heart attacks the following year, the study said."Whilst we cannot conclusively say that active travel to work lowers the risk of heart attack, the study is indicative of such a relationship," said study lead author Chris Gale, Professor at the University of Leeds."The effect of active commuting is fairly modest when compared with the stronger determinants of cardiovascular health such as smoking, obesity, diabetes, and regular exercise. However, this study clearly suggests that exercising on the way to work has the potential to bring nationwide improvements to health and wellbeing," Gale said.( With inputs from IANS )

Royal Alexandra Children's HospitalFOLLOW

Royal alexandra children's hospital, Latest News

Ahead of the first Test against South Africa, England coach Chris Silverwood said 'seam is the way forward'. ...

India has announced its squad for their maiden campaign at the Over 50s World Cup to be held in Cape Town and Stellenbosch in South Africa next year between March 11-24. Shailendra Singh will lead the team while Iqbal Khan was named as his deputy. ...

India skipper Virat Kohli has been named captain of the Wisden Test team of the decade. The list which features many ace cricketers of the world, includes ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as the only other Indian. ...

Lancashire's bowling all-rounder George Balderson will be leading England next year's ICC U19 World Cup to be held in South Africa from January 17 to February 9. ...

South Africa all-rounder Vernon Philander on Monday announced international retirement from all forms of cricket after the conclusion of the upcoming Test series against England. ...

South Africa fast bowler Vernon Philander will retire from international cricket after the upcoming four-match Test series against England. The news was confirmed by Cricket South Africa on their official Twitter handle. ...

South African all-rounder Vernon Philander has announced his retirement from international cricket following the home series against England. "I ... ...

Walking and cycling to work is associated with fewer heart attacks in adults, say researchers, adding that could provide important health benefits. ...