By Natalie Gott,Associated Press Writer

RALEIGH, N.C. – There’s no need to run. Just going for a brisk walk – in the park, around the block or on a treadmill – may be enough to help keep your heart healthy, a small study suggests.

The study, which indicates roughly two to three hours of mild exercise a week at a moderate intensity can significantly cut the risk of cardiovascular disease, supports earlier research.

The findings may encourage people who are reluctant to exercise, said Brian Duscha, the lead author of the research published in the October issue of the journal Chest.

“The classic question always is: What’s the minimum amount I need to do to enjoy the benefits of it,” Duscha said. “If you just walk 12 miles a week at a brisk pace, it’s scientifically proven now that you will get some benefits.”

The conclusions are based on a study at Duke University Medical Center of 133 middle-aged overweight sedentary men and women who were at risk for heart disease.

Broken into four groups, the volunteers either did not exercise, walked briskly for 12 miles a week at a moderate intensity, walked briskly or jogged slowly 12 miles a week at a vigorous intensity, or jogged 20 miles a week at a vigorous intensity.

The researchers studied two measurements of fitness – time to exhaustion and oxygen consumption. The better shape a person is in, the more oxygen can be consumed and used, Duscha said.

All the exercise groups saw fitness improvements. And when the two groups that walked 12 miles at differing intensity levels were compared, there wasn’t a significant difference in peak oxygen consumption. There was an improvement for those who jogged vigorously 20 miles a week, an indication that the amount of exercise can be important.

As to the exercising volunteers’ minimal weight loss – an average of 3 pounds over the eight-month study period – Duscha said that didn’t matter. People who don’t exercise and maintain the same diet will gain up to 4 pounds a year, according to an earlier analysis of the same study participants.

Even if you think you aren’t gaining any benefits because you aren’t losing weight, “don’t stop exercising,” Duscha said.

Dr. Robert Eckel, president of the American Heart Association, said the study supports what already is known: Moderate activity is certainly better than no activity. But, he noted that “even being more fit may have a better outcome long-term.”

A large study based on medical records and questionnaires of more than 40,000 men middle-aged men a few years ago also suggested moderate exercise helps the heart.

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