According to studies, those who engage in twice the recommended amount of physical activity are up to a third less likely to die prematurely.
For thirty years, Harvard University scholars monitored the health of more than one hundred thousand seniors.
Participants who adhered to guidelines for moderate activity were 21% less likely to die prematurely than those who did not exercise.
The number increased to 31%, however, among those who exceeded the recommendation and worked at least five hours.
Included in moderate exercise were brisk walking, weightlifting, and strength training.
Each week, participants who engaged in two-and-a-half hours of strenuous activity, such as running, swimming, or cycling, experienced similar but diminished health advantages.
Currently, the NHS recommends that individuals engage in 75 minutes of intense exercise per week.
Alternately, individuals should engage in two and a half hours of moderate activity, such as mowing the grass. Similar rules exist in the United States.
Health officials refer to exercise as a “wonder remedy.”
Simply by helping you maintain a healthy weight, it can cut the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes significantly. In addition, it is believed to reduce tension.
Dr. Dong Hoon Lee, the study’s lead researcher, stated, “The potential influence of physical activity on health is substantial.”
However, it is still uncertain whether physical exercise over the prescribed levels confers any additional advantages or risks to cardiovascular health.
His team analyzed the medical records of 116,221 individuals, who were, on average, sixty years old.
They were asked to complete questionnaires regarding the amount of time and type of activity they engaged in each week, such as walking, playing tennis, and working outdoors.
Researchers classified each physical activity as moderate or vigorous.
Those who completed two to four times the recommended level of activity had the lowest mortality risk, according to the data published in the journal Circulation.
People who engaged in five to ten hours of moderate activity per week were 26 to 31% less likely to die prematurely from any cause than those who engaged in no physical activity.
Compared to non-exercisers, those engaging in the recommended amount of moderate exercise were 21% less likely to die from all causes.
Volunteers who engaged in 2.5 to 5 hours of intense exercise per week had a 21 to 23 percent lower risk of dying young from any cause compared to those who did not exercise.
Those who engaged in the prescribed level of intense exercise had a 19% lower risk of premature death.
Although the benefits were little, experts deemed them to be substantial.
Dr. Lee stated, “This finding may alleviate concerns regarding the potential adverse effects of engaging in high levels of physical activity identified in several prior research.
However, exercising for more than four times the suggested duration did not produce any additional health benefits.
Dr. Lee stated, “Our study provides evidence to assist individuals in selecting the optimal amount and intensity of physical activity throughout their lifetimes to preserve their overall health.”
“Our findings complement the existing national physical activity guidelines and imply that medium to high levels of moderate or vigorous activity, or a combination, may provide the greatest health benefits.”
