New research using accelerometry data suggests that increasing physical activity can potentially add up to 11 years to your life. The study indicates that for the least active individuals, a single hour of walking could result in an increase of six additional hours of life.
According to a recent study led by researchers from Griffith University, if the entire U.S. population engaged in physical activity at the level of the most active 25 percent, those over 40 could expect to live five more years.
It has long been recognized that physical activity is beneficial for health, but estimates of its effects have varied widely based on activity levels reported by individuals rather than objective measures.
The latest research utilized accelerometry, providing a precise assessment of physical activity across populations, and revealed that the health benefits of exercise are about double those suggested by earlier studies.
The study found that the most physically active quarter of the population faced a 73 percent lower risk of mortality compared to their least active peers.
For those in the least active group, just one hour of walking could yield the equivalent of approximately six additional hours of life.
Professor Lennert Veerman, the lead researcher, noted that this less active group has the most to gain in terms of health improvements.
“For individuals already very active or in that top quartile, an additional hour of walking may not significantly enhance their health, as they have effectively reached their maximum potential benefit,” he explained.
“However, if those over 40 who fall into the least active quartile were to boost their activity levels to match those of the most active quartile, they could, on average, live an additional 11 years.
“This isn’t far-fetched, as 25 percent of the population is already achieving this level of activity.
“Any type of exercise counts, but it would roughly equal just under three hours of walking per day.”
The research team posits that low levels of physical activity might have negative health effects comparable to smoking, with findings suggesting that each cigarette could reduce a smoker’s life expectancy by 11 minutes.
Moreover, adopting a more active lifestyle can offer significant protective benefits against heart disease, strokes, certain types of cancer, and other chronic diseases, underscoring the importance of revising national physical activity guidelines based on these findings.
Dr. Veerman emphasized that physical activity has been greatly undervalued in its ability to enhance health results, arguing that even small boosts in physical movement can result in considerable life-extending advantages.
“If there’s a way to more than halve your risk of death, physical activity is extraordinarily effective,” he stated.
“Increasing investment in encouraging physical activity and developing communities that foster it—like walkable or bike-friendly neighborhoods alongside accessible, affordable public transportation—could lead to not just longer lives but also reduced strain on health systems and the environment.”
