Scientists just shattered a major exercise myth
- Date:
- November 1, 2025
- Source:
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
- Summary:
- New research from Australia overturns the old idea that exercise “uses up” heartbeats. It shows that fitter people actually use fewer total heartbeats each day thanks to their lower resting heart rates, even when accounting for workouts. Athletes’ hearts beat around 10% less daily, saving over 11,000 beats per day compared to sedentary people. This efficiency not only signals cardiovascular fitness but also translates to longer life expectancy and lower disease risk.
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Forget the old idea that physical activity drains your supply of heartbeats. New research from Australia shows that people who are physically fit actually use fewer heartbeats each day, which may help them live longer.
According to the study, athletes had an average heart rate of 68 beats per minute (bpm), while non-athletes averaged 76 bpm. Over a 24-hour period, this equals roughly 97,920 beats for athletes compared to 109,440 for non-athletes -- about 10 percent fewer.
"That's an incredible saving of about 11,500 beats a day," says Professor La Gerche, head of the HEART Laboratory supported by the St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research (SVI) and the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI).
He adds, "Even though athletes' hearts work harder during exercise, their lower resting rates more than make up for it."
Exercise Efficiency and Heart Health
The study, published in JACC: Advances, found that the most physically fit individuals had resting heart rates as low as 40 bpm, compared to the typical 70-80 bpm range. This means that, despite higher peaks during training, athletes still end up with fewer total beats across the day than those who are inactive.
These results challenge a long-held belief, once repeated by US President Donald Trump, that the human body is like a battery with a limited energy supply and that exercise only depletes it.
"The fitter you are, the more metabolically efficient your body becomes," Professor La Gerche explains. "Even if you're training hard for an hour a day, your heart beats more slowly for the other 23 hours. The net effect is fewer beats used overall."
A slower resting heart rate is not only a sign of good physical condition but also a strong indicator of long-term health. Increasing physical activity, when done safely, can enhance heart performance and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
"Exercise is strongly linked with improved mental health, longer lifespan and lower rates of heart disease," Professor La Gerche says.
Moderate Exercise Delivers the Biggest Benefits
Although extreme endurance events such as the Tour de France can cause temporary increases in daily heartbeats, Professor La Gerche notes that the health benefits of consistent, moderate exercise far outweigh any risks.
"The biggest bang for your health buck is going from unfit to moderately fit. Just a few hours of purposeful exercise each week can transform your heart's efficiency and help make every beat count. It may even extend your life by years," he says.
About the HEART Lab
Professor La Gerche leads the Heart, Exercise & Research Trials (HEART) Lab, which investigates how exercise influences heart health, in partnership with SVI and VCCRI. By studying elite athletes, the team uncovers findings that reach well beyond sports performance, offering valuable insights for people living with serious heart conditions.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Tim Van Puyvelde, Kristel Janssens, Luke Spencer, Paolo D’Ambrosio, Max Ray, Stephen J. Foulkes, Mark J. Haykowsky, Guido Claessen, Rik Willems, Andre La Gerche. Balancing Exercise Benefits Against Heartbeat Consumption in Elite Cyclists. JACC: Advances, 2025; 4 (10): 102140 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2025.102140
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