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To the heart through exercise. How can physical activity change the staggering statistics regarding heart disease?
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Poland, particularly among people over the age of 45. Physical activity is the foundation of their prevention. According to a report prepared by the Institute for Structural Research commissioned by Benefit Systems, if one in two inactive Poles started exercising, the number of people suffering from heart disease could drop by 973,000 within a year.1 Meanwhile, the MultiSport Index 2025 survey indicates that one in three adult residents of Poland does not engage in any form of physical activity – including walking or cycling – even once a week.
The hypertension epidemic
– Within the category of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension is a problem of massive proportions. According to the latest WOBASZ III study on the health of Poles, approximately 11.5 million adult citizens are living with it. Although the situation has improved compared to previous studies, approximately one in ten people aged 20–35 has hypertension. This does not yet prove that young people suffer heart attacks more frequently, but it does mean that their blood vessels are already exposed to factors conducive to serious diseases at the onset of adulthood. That is why it is not worth putting off preventive measures until the first symptoms appear – says Dr. Łukasz Małek, sports cardiologist. He highlights the importance of physical activity:
– Regular physical activity helps on several levels. During physical exertion, the heart pumps more blood, and repeated training causes it to work more efficiently over time, often leading to a slower resting heart rate. Blood vessels dilate better, lowering blood pressure is easier, and muscles utilise blood glucose more efficiently. Physical activity also helps improve lipid metabolism and maintain a healthy body weight. This reduces the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke– he points out.
A report by IBS and Benefit Systems indicates that if one in two physically inactive Poles were to start exercising (at a moderate level), the number of stroke cases per year could drop by approximately 7,200 and the number of people struggling with hypertension could decrease by 1.2 million.
It has also been shown that physical activity would help reduce the level of comorbidities that place a direct strain on the heart. Potentially, there would be 304.8 thousand fewer cases of metabolic diseases (such as type 2 diabetes) and 577 thousand fewer people who are overweight or obese. According to the MultiSport Index 2025 survey, one in four Poles struggles with the last two disease categories. Data from the National Health Fund indicates that approximately 3 million people in Poland suffer from type 2 diabetes.
The Three Chair Generation
As early as the 1950s, a link was observed between the risk of coronary artery disease and the level of physical activity. At that time, Jeremy N. Morris studied drivers and conductors employed on London buses. The two groups of men were similar in terms of age, social status, and working conditions. However, they differed in the nature of the work itself: drivers spent most of the workday seated, whereas conductors walked around the double-decker bus, and thus up and down the stairs. What turned out to be the case?
Drivers developed coronary artery disease much more frequently, suffered more severe cases, and died from it more often than conductors. They missed work less frequently due to short, minor illnesses, but experienced long-term absences far more often because of serious conditions, primarily cardiovascular diseases. Since both groups of employees were demographically and socially similar, Morris concluded that the key differentiating factor was physical activity.
– Prolonged sitting and insufficient physical activity are two interrelated problems. You can exercise regularly while simultaneously spending many hours a day in an armchair. Importantly, a sedentary lifestyle is not merely a lack of activity; it is an independent risk factor. Therefore, the World Health Organisation recommends limiting sedentary time and replacing it with activity, even of low intensity. Unfortunately, according to the latest MultiSport Index survey, nearly one in three Poles still engages in no physical activity whatsoever: they do not walk, cycle, or do any exercises – says Prof. Małek and emphasises that employers have a major role to play in this area. – If the job requires spending many hours at a desk, the employer should facilitate short breaks for exercise, walking meetings, or active commuting. A sports card is just as important as whether an employee can regularly step away from their desk and get moving – he explains.
Why should physical activity be in the employer’s interest? In 2025, Poles spent 12.2 million days on sick leave due to cardiovascular diseases, which include coronary artery disease. Physical activity is also a factor that can support employee productivity. In the MultiSport Index 2025 survey, 81% of professionally active Poles stated that varied physical activity has a positive impact on the performance of professional duties.
– Regular physical activity supports the heart and blood vessels, helping to ensure an efficient supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, which benefits memory, concentration, and the maintenance of mental acuity – explains Prof. Małek.
What kind of physical activity does the heart like?
– The heart responds well to regular dynamic exercise involving large muscle groups, where the movement is fluid and repetitive. Importantly, you don’t have to run or train competitively to take care of your circulatory system. For those who have been relatively inactive, I usually suggest starting with moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, and gradually increasing the duration. The practical goal is 30 minutes, five days a week. Those who are fitter can replace some of this activity with running, faster cycling, or swimming – explains Prof. Małek and specifies that it is best to combine different forms of activity. A hybrid model offers great flexibility in adapting one’s exercise to daily life. – It is worth adding muscle-strengthening exercises to your aerobic activity at least two days a week. And if, at first, we are only able to move for a few minutes, that is also a good start.
In the MultiSport Index 2025 survey, 93% of Poles acknowledged that varied physical activity has a positive impact on mental and physical health, while 69% stated that it improves the regularity and frequency of workouts.
1”Benefits of Physical Activity for Poles” IBS report commissioned by Benefit Systems
Barbara Jastrzębska
For over 20 years, Benefit Systems has been the leader of the Polish employee benefits market and one of the key players in the region’s fitness industry. The company’s flagship product is the iconic MultiSport Programme providing access to thousands of sports and recreational facilities. The portfolio is complemented by the MyBenefit cafeteria platform and the Multi.Life wellbeing programme, creating a benefits ecosystem for companies that care about their employees. The group operates in six markets. In addition to Poland, its sports offering is available in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Turkey. Benefit Systems is also the largest fitness club operator in Poland, managing nearly 300 clubs, mostly those under the Zdrofit brand. The mission of Benefit Systems is to inspire physical activity and promote health at every stage of life. The company conducts educational and health-oriented initiatives for children, adults, and seniors, including through the MultiSport Foundation. Since 2018, it has been part of the B Corp community, which brings together companies committed to the highest standards of social responsibility and engagement. More information at: https://www.benefitsystems.pl/en and https://biuroprasowe.benefitsystems.pl/en.
