How Many Extra Years Can You Expect to Live if You Are Active?

In today’s world where everyone seems to be busy with work, it can be a little difficult to work out and engage in physical activities which can have bad repercussions on their health. At such a time, CNN has reported a recent study that claims that a person who exercises regularly can have their life expectancy extended by 5 years or more.

According to Dr. Lennert Veerman who is a public health professor at Griffith University, Australia, “I was shocked to learn that the impact of low levels of exercise on life expectancy in the US could be comparable to that of smoking and high blood pressure.”

Dr. Lennert Voerman has centered her research on the work of Eskielson (2019) who demonstrated that the chances of dying before the average age increases with lower levels of physical activity. The latest research focused on persons aged 40 years and above, where inactivity related deaths are more predictable.

Through a life table, a utilitarian device that estimates the chances of people reaching a particular age, the researchers were able to determine how potential increases in daily activity could extend healthy life expectancy (HLE) at birth. The table estimated that those with the lowest level of activity could potentially live an additional 11 years if they increased their daily total physical activity in minutes by as little as 111 minutes.

Veerman stressed the need for a combined effort to attain this objective, including reduction in car dependence and preparing for the long-term: ‘Together we need to realize this vision, because the current situation with the healthcare system and the increase of costs related to physical inactivity is not promising at all.’

This clearly indicates that we should all try to incorporate physical activity within ourselves. Stressful lives do not, however, prevent individuals from engaging in exercise that will be beneficial in the long perspective. Gym exercise or fitness classed are not the only physical activity options available; even walking, cycling or gardening may be very effective in increasing life expectancy.

As a result of Veerman’s research, the results expand the concern regarding public health even more. The risks of inactivity, however, grow in the same measure as more and more people need to conduct sedentary lives. This aspect should be addressed through community mobilization activities and policies that promote healthy and active lifestyles. For example, policies increasing walkability, encouraging the development of public parks and leisure centers, or workplace interventions focusing on corporate wellness can improve the chances of participation in physical activity.

By promoting physical activity, healthcare professionals also join this movement in an indirect way. This is possible if doctors and nurses educate patients on the need for physical activity and its integration in their day to day lives. It is cheaper to adopt preventive measures than to treat chronic illnesses associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Increased physical activity is not only directed to individuals, but also to communities and governments as well. The health gains are significant if efforts are geared towards enabling physical activity in the population. A reduction in car use, better public transport systems and making places for physical activity safe are some of the ways.

Finally the work of Dr. Lennert Veerman and his team from Griffith University clarifies the message –physically active people live longer. The study strongly suggests that we should exercise more, as it can add 11 years to life expectancy. If society takes this message seriously, millions will be much healthier and live much longer.