Women only need to exercise half as much as men to get similar health benefits

A study has found that females who cycle, swim and run regularly are less likely to die from heart attacks or strokes compared to men, even if they put in less effort.

Researchers found that active women were 36 per cent less likely to suffer a deadly heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event, compared to a 14 per cent reduction in men.

Experts say that the results should encourage women to exercise as even a small amount of physical activity can make a significant difference.

Martha Gulati, a cardiologist at the Smidt Heart Institute in California, said: "Women have historically and statistically lagged behind men in engaging in meaningful exercise.

"The beauty of this study is learning that women can get more out of each minute of moderate to vigorous activity than men do.

"It's an incentivising notion that we hope women will take to heart."

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