Physical Activity Linked to a Decade Longer Life

Exercise is a longevity drug.

Need to know: New research quantified the life-extending impact of physical activity on adults over 40.

• Life expectancy is 11 years longer for those in the top 25% of exercisers.
• If all Americans 40+ matched the highest cohort, they could gain 5.3 years on their lives.
• An additional hour of walking for the least active adds 6.3 hours of life expectancy.

Turning the tide. Life expectancy in the US has been falling since 2014, and lack of physical activity accounts for an estimated 8.3% of deaths across age groups.

But, the benefits of an active lifestyle are well documented, from weight loss to cancer risk to mental health.

Finding sustainable and scalable strategies to encourage overall physical activity levels represents a significant opportunity to reverse the trend.

Takeaway: Telling people to take their medicine hasn’t worked. Pitching physical activity as a key to increased longevity could stoke greater interest.