Walking the dog may be better than jogging at preventing heart disease, according to research published today.
Danish researchers found that a brisk walk every day halved the risk of developing the early stages of heart disease and diabetes.
Jogging cut it by 40%.
The researchers set out to study the link between regular exercise and the development of so-called metabolic syndrome, when the body’s ability to stay healthy and handle blood sugars begins to break down.
The researchers at Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, studied more than 10,000 adults of all ages over a ten year period.
About a quarter of them already had metabolic syndrome at the outset of the study.
As well as jogging and walking the researchers also looked at the effect of general leisure time physical activity, finding it cut risk by 30%.
They conclude that intensity of exercise is more important than its duration.
Maureen Talbot, of the British Heart Foundation, welcomed the findings.
She said: "This study reminds us that it is only physical activities that leave us feeling warm or breathing more heavily that are good for our health.
"Jogging or walking briskly makes the heart beat faster – exercising the heart muscle – and we should all try to do activities each day which get the blood pumping.
"So if you want to make the walk to work or to the shops part of keeping your heart healthy then try turning it from a leisurely stroll into a power walk to get the benefits."
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