Moderate exercise could help decrease the risk for stroke almost by half

From Food and Health Correspondent Linda Ciampa

(CNN) -- Regular, moderate exercise could decrease your risk for stroke almost by half, according to new research.

Other studies have shown exercise protects against stroke, but some have questioned the connection.

The surgeon general's report on physical activity and health two years ago concluded, "It is unclear whether physical activity plays a protective role against stroke."

However, the newest research published in the current issue of the American Heart Association's journal Stroke shows just half an hour of moderate exercise five days a week reduces the risk for stroke by almost 25 percent.

Double that effort by exercising for an hour a day for five days and the risk for stroke drops by almost another 25 percent.

So what is moderate exercise? Researchers say walking, climbing steps, biking and even dancing all count, but activities such as bowling and light housekeeping do not.

Robert Hooper, 89, was one of the 11,000 study participants researchers followed for 13 years. He credits his health to walking his dogs six times a day.

"Ten years ago, I did a good deal of jogging or running," he said. "This is not a substitute for that -- not quite the same intensity -- but still seems to do the job."