"Starting Exercise Even Later in Life Can Reduce Mortality Risk"

Starting Physical Activity at Any Point in Adulthood is Beneficial
Tends to Reduce Mortality from Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer

A large-scale analysis has revealed that regular physical activity significantly reduces the overall risk of death. The results showed that consistently engaging in exercise at the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) can reduce the risk of death from all causes by up to 40%.

A large-scale analysis has revealed that regular physical activity significantly reduces the overall risk of death. Pixabay

A research team led by Dr. Gregore Mielke at the University of Queensland in Australia reached this conclusion by synthesizing the findings of 85 studies that analyzed the relationship between physical activity and mortality risk. The study was recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

The researchers emphasized that starting to exercise or increasing activity levels at any point in adulthood can have a positive impact on health. They specifically added that "it is never too late to start being physically active."

The WHO recommends that adults engage in 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week, and also notes that it is possible to combine both intensities appropriately.

This study is distinct from previous research in that it selected and analyzed only those studies that measured physical activity at various points during adulthood, rather than at a single time point. The team focused on evaluating the cumulative effect of these accumulated activity patterns on mortality rates.

The 85 studies included in the analysis covered a wide range of sample sizes, from 357 to over 6.57 million participants, and included papers addressing long-term changes in physical activity, average exercise volume, and the effects of accumulated activity.

The comprehensive analysis found that people with higher levels of physical activity had lower mortality rates. Those who maintained physical activity above the WHO recommendations saw an overall mortality risk reduction of 30% to 40%, while groups that gradually increased their activity levels showed a 20% to 25% reduction.

Individuals who transitioned from being inactive to active still experienced a 22% reduction in mortality risk compared to those who remained inactive, and those who increased their leisure-time activity saw a 27% lower risk.

The reduction in mortality risk was particularly pronounced for cardiovascular disease. People who maintained high activity levels had a 40% reduction in deaths from cardiovascular disease and a 25% reduction in deaths from cancer, respectively.

The research team stated, "These findings clearly show that activity levels during adulthood have a long-term impact on mortality risk," and added, "Interventions to promote physical activity should support not only those who are currently inactive but also help those who are already active to maintain their activity levels."