How Sports Affect Life Expectancy: Scientists Dispel Myths

Scientists conducted a study and found out how to exercise to increase life expectancy. Cursorinfo tells in more detail which sports “truths” turned out to be myths.

For years, the phrase “Exercise to live longer” has been a staple of health advice. But a new study in Finland that followed 22 twins over 750 years has found that the link between physical activity and longevity may be more complex than previously thought.

Too much activity is also harmful

Scientists divided the study participants into four groups depending on their level of physical activity:

• sedentary;
• moderately active;
• active;
• highly active.

The results showed that moderate activity reduced the risk of death by 7% compared with those who were sedentary.

On the subject: Man Loses 64kg in 18 Months Without Training or Going to the Gym: How He Did It

However, increasing physical activity above moderate levels did not provide additional long-term benefits. Additional analysis found that in the short term, increasing physical activity levels was associated with a reduced risk of death.

However, in the long term, mortality among people with high levels activity approaches the levels of those who lead a predominantly sedentary lifestyle.

This pattern led researchers to believe that physical activity levels may serve as an indicator of a person's overall health and fitness, rather than being a direct factor in increasing life expectancy.

Biological aging

Another important aspect of the study was the analysis of the biological aging using an epigenetic clock. They measure the level of DNA methylation. This process affects gene expression, which occurs with age and can serve as an indicator of the biological age of the organism.

The results of the study revealed a U-shaped relationship, with both the most inactive and the most active individuals showing signs of accelerated biological aging. However, factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption largely explained these results, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to health. This includes not only physical activity but also other important aspects of lifestyle.

These results suggest that regular exercise is beneficial. But maintaining moderate activity in combination with other healthy habits may be a more effective path to long-term longevity than high-intensity workouts alone.

How much do you need to do?

The results of this study support the recommendation to do at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. This level of physical activity is associated with a 45 percent reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality.

The scientists concluded that maintaining a balanced level of physical activity along with good lifestyle habits is an important factor in improving life expectancy and overall well-being. However, they stressed that it is not a panacea and does not solve all health problems.