Researchers have linked different types of physical activity with longevity

A new study has shown that regularly performing various types of physical activity may be optimal for prolonging life. Despite the importance of an active lifestyle, scientists argue that it is a variety of exercises that can reduce the risk of death, and not just increase their volume. This was reported on January 21 by Medical Xpress magazine.

For the study, the experts used data from two large studies with multiple assessments of physical activity over more than 30 years. The researchers analyzed the effects of different types of physical activity on health and life expectancy.

The results showed that more diverse types of activity are associated with a lower risk of death, especially when it comes to cardio, sports, and daily activities.

Walking became the most common type of physical activity in both groups. This type of activity was associated with the lowest risk of death — 17% for those who walked more. Other effective methods were tennis, squash or rocketball, rowing or gymnastics, strength training or resistance exercises, jogging and cycling.

The study included more than 111.4 thousand participants. As a result, significant differences in life expectancy were revealed among people who actively engaged in different types of physical exercise. Participants with a high level of physical activity were generally less likely to suffer from diseases and showed better results in body mass indices, which confirms the link between physical activity and life expectancy.

On January 16, National Geographic magazine reported on the impact of reading habits on life expectancy. According to the publication, regular reading is also associated with reduced stress levels, improved memory, and protection against cognitive decline.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.