Exercising Helps Increase Life Expectancy
Exercising regularly has some great benefits for our bodies. More than just a few, small benefits, this practice can actually increase life expectancy by four to five years. However, it must be a regular practice in order to have this desired effect.
According to different studies at the National Cancer Institute in the United States, exercise can increase life expectancy by four years. Moderate exercise is the key to achieving this, over three hours a week. However, this exercise can be simple, with activities such as walking slightly faster than usual.
Additionally, studies show that those people who were overweight but did some kind of exercise also increased their life expectancy. They had a higher life expectancy than those who were not overweight but lived a sedentary lifestyle.
On the other hand, if three hours of exercise a week isn’t possible for you, we have good news! The study suggested that even one and a half hours of exercise each week can help increase life expectancy. Of course, the increase was less significant.
The main author of the study said the following about the results:
“Our results highlight the important contribution that the free time spent in physical activity has on adult age and how it gives longevity. Regular exercise extends life in all examined groups, with normal weight, overwheight, or ebesity.”
The WHO: exercise to increase life expectancy
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a specific exercise duration according to age. These recommendations are made with the objectives of losing weight, staying healthy, and increasing life expectancy. Here are the recommendations according to the age ranges that The WHO suggests.
Five to 17 years of age
For children and teenagers, the recommendation is to have around one hour of exercise. Such exercise should be moderate but vigorous. In other words, exercise at an intensity that makes it difficult to speak at the same time. Additionally, they recommend exercising at least three times a day with an intense sports activity.
Adults of 18 to 64 years of age
For adults who are in this large range of age, the WHO recommends having around two and a half hours of moderate exercise a week. However, if the exercise is more intense, they recommend one and a half hours a week. Additionally, the recommendation is that they should do exercises focused on muscle strengthening twice a week.
Adults aged 65 years and older
For people who are over 65 years of age, the recommendation is to practice the same exercises as the previous age range. However, they should also practice activities that help improve balance three times a week. This practice will help avoid falls, since, at this age, injuries can affect the quality of life.
Increase life expectancy and much more
Aside from being an essential factor in staying healthy, exercising contributes to improving quality of life. Physical activity has many benefits in physiologically, psychologically, and socially. People who exercise regularly consider themselves to be healthier and less stressed.
Additionally, from these benefits, exercising can also have other physiological advantages. And so, some of these may be improving digestion and intestinal health, bone density, preventing hypertension and improving lipid levels in the blood.
Socially, exercise can also have certain benefits, since it helps improve academic performance. Additionally, it helps avoid bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol.
Finally, to sum up, exercising may be able to increase life expectancy as well as the quality of life. And so, just a few simple exercises throughout the week may be enough to significantly increase life expectancy. Additionally, it also has some physiological, psychological and social benefits.
