Research
Mixed
For a fixed total volume of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), increasing the proportion of vigorous physical activity (VPA) to total MVPA is associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality.
If you currently do 150 minutes of moderate exercise (like brisk walking) per week, try replacing half of that time with vigorous exercise (like running or fast cycling) while keeping the total time at 150 minutes. This shift is associated with a 17% lower risk of death compared to doing only moderate exercise, according to this large study.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
This study suggests that, for the same volume of MVPA, a higher proportion of VPA to total physical activity was associated with lower all-cause mortality.
Why this rating
Large national cohort (n=403,681), long follow-up, adjusted for major confounders, but relies on self-reported activity.
Source
Association of Physical Activity Intensity With Mortality
Yafeng Wang et al. · JAMA Internal Medicine · 2020
cohort · n=403681Cited 229×
Read the paper This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →