Comment live longer ? This is the question asked by researchers at Griffith University in Australia. The latter looked at the benefits ofphysical activity on longevity. In a study conducted on American data, they found that if all Americans had an active lifestyle, thelife expectancy could extend from 5 to 11 years. Their results are published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Having regular daily physical activity can increase life expectancy
To arrive at these results, the researchers based themselves on data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey conducted between 2003 and 2006 in the United States among people in their forties. Information on their lifestyle habits in terms of physical activity was recorded. Then the researchers divided them based on this data
Researchers note that among the most active 25%, physical activity “was equivalent to 160 minutes of walking at a normal pace of 4.8 km/hour each day”. Additionally, taking into account 2017 mortality figures, the researchers used “a predictive model” oflife expectancy and applied it to the different categories.
They found that if all Americans in their forties had the same physical activity habits as the most active 25%, their life expectancy could increase by an average of 5.3 years, “increasing life expectancy at birth from 78.6 to almost 84 years”. The benefits would be particularly significant among less active people. Indeed, among the least active 25%, this could increase their life expectancy by up to 11 years on average. For that, “they should walk an additional 111 minutes at 3 miles per hour each day (or equivalent effort),” note the researchers.
The effects of a sedentary lifestyle on mortality would be comparable with smoking
Although the researchers recognize that this is an observational study which cannot therefore establish a cause and effect relationship, they nevertheless believe that developing policies promoting physical activity or even the implementation of Living environments that promote physical activity and “active” mobility, such as public transport, would be beneficial.
With of CNNLennert Veerman, lead author of the study and professor of public health at the School of Medicine and Dentistry at Griffith University in Australia said “surprised to find that the loss of years of life in the United States due to low levels of physical activity could rival losses from smoking and high blood pressure.” And the latter reminds that to stay healthy and reduce the risk of the appearance of certain diseases, “every movement counts”.
As a reminder, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults do at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise per week. As a reminder, an aerobic activity allows you to use several muscle groups and increase your heart rate.
Sources :
- FreePhysical activity and life expectancy: a life-table analysis – British Journal of Sports Medicine – Novembre 2024
- US over 40s could live extra 5 years if they were all as active as top 25% of population – BMJ (communiqué) – 14/11/2024
- Want to live an extra 5 to 10 years? Adopt this habit, study suggests – CNN – 15/11/2024
