Islamabad (nytoday) – Living a long, active, and healthy life may not require strict routines or complicated fitness plans. According to a major medical study conducted in the United States, simply adding a variety of physical activities to everyday life can play a powerful role in increasing lifespan.
The long-term research, led by Harvard University, followed the health and lifestyles of more than 111,000 individuals over a period exceeding 30 years. Researchers collected detailed information every two years, including participants’ medical histories, personal data, and daily habits. The study closely examined how often individuals engaged in activities such as walking, running, jogging, climbing stairs, cycling, and playing sports like tennis and squash.
The findings revealed that people who regularly participated in different types of physical activity experienced an overall 20% lower risk of premature death from any cause. Even simple habits proved effective—daily walking alone reduced the risk of death by 17%. Those who played sports such as tennis or squash saw a 15% reduction, while activities like running or weight training lowered the risk by 13%.
Jogging was associated with an 11% decrease in premature death risk, cycling with a 4% reduction, and regular stair climbing with a 10% decline. Notably, individuals who combined more than one form of physical activity benefited the most, showing a 19% lower overall risk of early death. In addition, the risk of dying from heart disease, cancer, respiratory illnesses, and other conditions was reduced by between 13% and 41%.
Researchers acknowledged certain limitations of the study, including reliance on self-reported data and the inability to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Nevertheless, they emphasized that the results strongly support the link between long-term engagement in varied physical activities and improved health and longevity.
The full findings of the study have been published in the respected medical journal BMJ Medicine.