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The new year is a time when many plan to shape up after the excesses of the festive period.

Now there is good news for those who fear it might be too late in life to improve their fitness.

People into late middle age can reverse or reduce the risk of heart failure caused by decades of sedentary living by exercising, a study has found.

But there is a catch – it takes two years of aerobic exercise, four to five days a week, researchers said.

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