Simple daily exercise can increase your lifespan by more than 10 years, research finds
Scots who exercise regularly can add up to 11 years to their lifespan, a new study has revealed. According to Australian researchers, middle-aged people who are currently less active than average could gain an extra six hours of life expectancy for every one-hour walk that they go on.
Scientists at Griffith University’s school of medicine and dentistry suggested that adding low levels of physical activity to your daily routine could even rival the negative effects of smoking, with other studies demonstrating that a cigarette could take 11 minutes from someone’s life.
In fact, research findings showed that the most active quarter of those who took part in the study had a 73 per cent lower risk of death than the least active participants.
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Professor Lennert Veerman, lead researcher on the project, stressed: “If there's something you could do to more than halve your risk of death, physical activity is enormously powerful.”
The academic's team analysed data obtained from fitness trackers worn by 35,000 people. Their analysis, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that the impact of exercise on lifespan was about twice as strong as had been previously estimated.
While any exercise can vastly improve your health, the study suggests that people should aim for the equivalent of just under three hours of walking per day. Veerman urged governments to invest more in promoting exercise, to help communities benefit from the significant health improvements associated with being active.
He said: “If we could increase investment in promoting physical activity and creating living environments that promote it such as walkable or cyclable neighbourhoods and convenient, affordable public transport systems, we could not only increase longevity but also reduce pressure on our health systems and the environment.”
According to NHS guidelines, we should try to do at least 150 minutes of moderate activity, or 75 minutes of high-intensity activity per week. This can be spread evenly over 4 to 5 days, or even done every day if you are already confident in the gym.
Moderate exercise can include riding a bike or going on a brisk walk, while more vigorous exercise entails activities like running, swimming or walking up stairs. Team sports such as football and hockey are highlighted as good options to tackle high-intensity exercise alongside friends.
Health chiefs also recommend doing strengthening activities that work all the major muscle groups at least two days a week.
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