Exercise is very important for one’s wellbeing.
Leading a long and healthy life involves a complex interplay of various factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as genetics and gender. However, many aspects of our lifestyle can be modified to contribute to overall well-being, including nutrition, physical activity, stress management, avoiding smoking, and ensuring adequate sleep.
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland delves into the relationship between leisure-time physical activity and mortality risk. While exercise is widely acknowledged as a key factor in promoting longevity, this study suggests that other healthy lifestyle habits may have an even more significant impact. The lead author, Ms. Anna Kankaanpää, explained that the motivation for the research stemmed from a previous study indicating a potential genetic influence on the association between physical activity and mortality.
In contrast to some earlier findings, the current study challenges the notion that exercise alone is the sole determinant of longevity. The researchers utilized data from the Finnish Twin Cohort, involving over 11,000 sets of adult twins, spanning a 45-year period. The participants were categorized based on their level of physical activity—ranging from sedentary to highly active. Surprisingly, the study revealed that factors beyond exercise, such as body mass index, health status, alcohol use, and smoking, played a crucial role in mortality rates.
Participants in the active groups demonstrated a significantly lower all-cause mortality risk compared to the sedentary group. However, when adjusting for other lifestyle factors, the mortality rate in the sedentary group decreased, suggesting a more nuanced relationship. Additionally, the study observed accelerated biological aging in both sedentary and highly active groups when compared to moderately active and active groups.
The researchers propose that the positive association between long-term exercise and reduced mortality risk is not solely attributed to physical activity but may serve as an indicator of an overall healthy lifestyle. In essence, regular exercise might be reflective of a broader commitment to well-being, contributing to an extended lifespan.
Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, emphasized that this study reinforces the idea that some exercise is associated with decreased mortality compared to a sedentary lifestyle. Importantly, the findings suggest that there might be a threshold beyond which additional exercise does not yield proportionate health benefits. The study, while conducted on a specific population in Finland, prompts further exploration into more diverse populations to enhance the generalizability of the results.
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