The researchers behind the study believe that exercise recommendations should be tailored to each individual.
Some people may need significantly more physical activity than others to achieve the same health benefits.
The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, is based on data from more than 17,000 participants from the UK Biobank in the United Kingdom. Participants wore activity trackers and completed a fitness test.
The researchers examined the relationship between exercise, physical fitness, and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Also read: These foods may help reduce your belly fat
Limited effect
Over a period of nearly eight years, researchers recorded more than 1,200 cases of conditions including blood clots, stroke, and heart failure.
People who followed the current recommendation of at least 150 minutes of exercise per week showed only a slightly lower risk of disease. The reduction was between 8 and 9 percent.
The study also found that people with lower fitness levels needed to exercise more than fitter individuals to achieve the same health benefits.
Much more exercise
Researchers only observed a clear improvement when participants engaged in between 560 and 610 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week. That is roughly four times the current recommendations.
Also read: Avoid these drinks when taking medication – new study points to a potential risk
Only 12 percent of participants reached that level of activity.
However, the researchers emphasized that the study cannot prove that exercise alone was responsible for the lower risk.
Sources: SciTechDaily and British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Also read: Experts explain why your inner critic is louder than your positive thoughts
Also read: Roblox isn't recommended for children under 9 – here's why