London - Keeping fit in your 40s could cut the risk of a stroke in your 60s.
Adults in good physical shape in middle age are almost 40 per cent less likely to suffer strokes later on, research reveals.
Experts think exercise may boost blood flow to the brain, staving off the natural decay of nerve tissue.
In Britain strokes claim twice as many women’s lives as breast cancer and kill more men than prostate and testicular cancer combined. It is also the main cause of severe disability.
In the latest research, US scientists analysed data on almost 20,000 men and women aged between 45 and 50 who had been put through a fitness test on a treadmill and had their health tracked until they reached at least 65.
The fittest 40 per cent in middle-age were 37 per cent less likely than the least fit to suffer a stroke later on.
Study author Ambarish Pandey, of the University of Texas, said: ‘We all hear that exercise is good for you but many people still don’t do it.
‘Our hope is that this objective data on preventing fatal disease such as stroke will help motivate people to get moving and get fit.’
Men and women aged between 19 and 64 should fit in at least two sessions of weights, yoga or other strengthening exercises a week.
One study found that one in 12 people had not walked continuously for five minutes in at least a month, even if they were without mobility problems.
Alexis Wieroniey, of the Stroke Association, said: ‘We all know that taking regular exercise is great for our health and an active lifestyle can improve our overall wellbeing.
‘We recommend that people aim to do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five or more times a week.
Other recent research suggests the seeds of some strokes are sown in childhood.
A Danish study, released last week at the European Obesity Summit, found that being overweight on starting secondary school raises the odds of having a stroke by an average of 55 per cent.
Daily Mail