People who take up exercise in their later years – regardless of their previous activity levels – are able to considerably improve their heart health through physical activity.

A study, published in the American Heart Association's journal, Circulation, found that two years of exercise improved maximal oxygen uptake and decreased cardiac stiffness in previously sedentary healthy middle-aged adults.

The finding suggests that regular exercise may provide protection against the risk of future heart failure.

Poor fitness in middle age is a risk factor for heart failure, particularly heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

The development of HFpEF has been linked with increased left ventricular (LV) stiffness, a consequence of sedentary ageing.

The study was based on 61 healthy, sedentary, middle-aged (aged 48-58) participants who were randomly assigned to either two years of exercise training or a control group without exercise.

The participants' LV end-diastolic pressure-volume relationships and LV stiffness – as well as calculate maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2max) – were then assessed during and after the study,

The 34 people who took part in the two-year exercise regime saw their Vo2max increase by 18 per cent, while the 27-strong control group saw their Vo2max decrease slightly.

LV stiffness in the exercise group was also reduced, whereas there was no change in the non-exercise group.