A recent study published in the August 16 online edition of the The Lancet reinforces the life gains to be had from exercise. The data shows that exercising for as little as 15 minutes a day increases life expectancy by three years. It also reduces the risk of dying from all diseases by 14%. Every additional 15 minutes of exercise performed per day further reduced all-cause mortality by 4%.
The study involved 416,175 people (men and women) living in Taiwan. It followed them for more than eight years and recorded the amount of weekly exercised each participant accumulated. The participants were then grouped by levels of activity; starting at low (15 minutes per day), medium, high or very high (60 minutes per day). Those who exercised for 15 minutes a day lived on average three year longer than those who were largely sedentary.
This study further highlights the benefits of exercise in all age groups and in both sexes. It seems that being active for as little as fifteen minutes a day can produce a significant benefit.
For more information on this study click here to go directly to the Lancet’s website.