Scientists have discovered a simple secret to long life

Physical activity has been significantly underestimated in its ability to improve health and thus prolong life – even a small increase in physical activity can have a significant positive effect.

This was shown by a new study by scientists from Griffith University (Australia), reports EurekAlert.

It has long been known that physical activity has health benefits, but estimates of how much benefit can be gained from a given level of activity have varied across individuals and populations, the article says.

In the new study, the researchers used accelerometry to get an accurate picture of a population’s physical activity levels, rather than relying on survey responses, as in other studies. The results showed that the benefits of physical activity were about twice as strong as previous estimates.

The researchers applied a predictive model based on instrumented physical activity scores and a life table model analysis using the 2017 US population mortality data and the 2003-2006 US Health Survey.

Thanks to the data, the researchers analyzed life expectancy based on physical activity levels. It turned out that:

• the most active quarter of people in the community had a 73% lower risk of death than their least active counterparts;
• If everyone were as active as the top 25% of the population, Americans over 40 could live an average of 5.3 years longer;
• the greatest increase in life expectancy per hour of walking was observed in people in the lowest activity quartile, where an additional hour of walking could add approximately six hours to life expectancy;
• If the less active quarter of the population over 40 increased their activity level to that of the most active quarter, they could live on average about 11 years longer. This can be any type of exercise, but it is roughly equivalent to just under three hours of walking a day. .

Scientists have found that the least active cohort of the population has the greatest potential for improved health.

If you’re already very active…an extra hour of walking may not make much difference because you’ve, in a sense, already “exhausted” your benefit, the scientists note.

Scientists also suggest that low levels of physical activity may even compete with the negative effects of smoking, as other studies have shown that each cigarette can take 11 minutes off a smoker’s life.

In addition, a more active lifestyle may provide protection against heart disease, stroke, some cancers and other chronic diseases.

If there’s anything you can do to cut your risk of death by more than half, physical activity is an incredibly powerful way to do it, the researchers note.

Source: EurekAlert

Source: Racurs

David

I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.