Want to Live Longer? Stay Active, Study Suggests

Staying physically active throughout adulthood can reduce the risk of death from any cause by up to 40%, according to a large pooled analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Even individuals who began exercising later in life saw a 20-25% lower risk of death, highlighting that it’s never too late to adopt a more active lifestyle.

Researchers reviewed 85 studies published up to April 2024, encompassing participant sample sizes ranging from 357 to over 6.5 million.

The analysis included studies that measured physical activity at two or more points in time and examined its effects on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The researchers performed separate analyses to account for different methodologies used in the studies.

Results showed that people who were consistently active had a 30-40% lower risk of death from any cause compared to those who remained inactive. Individuals who increased their physical activity later in life also benefited, with a 20-25% reduction in mortality risk. Notably, switching from inactivity to an active lifestyle was associated with a 22% lower risk of death, and those who increased their leisure-time activity were 27% less likely to die from any cause.