Research

Adherence

Increasing physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) over time significantly reduces all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in middle-aged and older adults, regardless of their baseline activity levels or existing medical history.

If you are currently inactive, gradually increasing your physical activity over time—aiming to reach at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week—will significantly lower your risk of dying from any cause, heart disease, or cancer. This benefit applies even if you have existing health conditions like heart disease or cancer, and it does not matter how inactive you were in the past; the act of increasing your activity is what drives the longevity gain.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Long term increases in PAEE were inversely associated with mortality, independent of baseline PAEE... Middle aged and older adults, including those with cardiovascular disease and cancer, stand to gain substantial longevity benefits by becoming more physically active, regardless of past activity levels
Alexander Mok et al. · BMJ · 2019

Why this rating

Large population-based cohort (n=14,599) with long follow-up (median 12.5 years) and rigorous adjustment for confounders, though observational design prevents causal proof.

Source

Physical activity trajectories and mortality: population based cohort study

Alexander Mok et al. · BMJ · 2019

cohort · n=14599Cited 415×
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