Australians urged to increase exercise

An Australian study has revealed people need to do five times as much exercise as previously thought.

A new study has revealed people need to do five times as much exercise as previously thought. (AAP) Source: AAP

A dramatic increase in exercise could be the key to combating heart disease and stroke, a Queensland study has found.

Researchers from The University of Queensland say a five-fold increase of the current World Health Organisation recommendations could also reduce breast and bowel cancer, as well as diabetes.

The current WHO recommended activity is two to three hours a week of running or brisk walking, but researcher Dr Lennert Veerman said people need to be doing upwards of six hours of running or 15 hours of walking.

The Study, published in the British Medical Journal, examined more than 170 previous studies published between 1980 and 2016 and found higher levels of exercise were linked to a reduced risk of chronic conditions.

Dr Veerman said less than half of Australians adhered to the current WHO guidelines, but that incorporating exercise into daily life could make all the difference.

"If we want to live long and healthy and reduce our waistlines, we need to do more activity," he said.