Azernews.Az

By Alimat Aliyeva

If all Americans were as active as their fellow citizens who regularly engage in sports, they could extend their lives by an average of 5 years. This is the conclusion reached by the authors of a new study, Azernews reports.

It is well known that people who exercise regularly have a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, dementia, and a range of other health issues.

However, a new analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has highlighted the role of physical activity in longevity and demonstrated the significant differences between the most and least active population groups.

In the study, scientists divided American adults aged 40 and older into four groups based on their level of physical activity between 2003 and 2006 and monitored their health over several years.

During this period, the most active individuals were 73 percent less likely to die from any cause compared to the least active.

"The only thing you can do to reduce the risk of death by more than half is vigorous physical activity," said Lennert Wirman, the lead author of the study and a professor of public health at Griffith University in Australia.

The most active adults engaged in physical activity equivalent to walking for two hours and 40 minutes a day. To match this, the least active adults would need to add about two hours of walking to their daily routine.

However, if they did so, it is estimated that they could live an average of 10.9 years longer. For the most active adults, every hour of walking translates into an additional 6.3 hours of life expectancy.

According to Wirman, for the most active adults who "gain the most benefit" from an hour-long walk, the difference in life expectancy wouldn't be as pronounced.

If the levels of physical activity were increased across the population, life expectancy in the United States could rise to 83.7 years, compared to 78.6 years in 2017.

The researchers emphasize the importance of physical activity for health. This factor should be considered when planning urban environments.

By making cities more walkable and bike-friendly, Wirman believes, "we can not only increase life expectancy but also reduce the burden on healthcare systems and the environment."