Active lifestyle at any point in adulthood may extend lifespan: Study

By Admin

14 Jul, 2025

It's Never Too Late to Start Moving

A groundbreaking new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has highlighted a compelling truth: embracing a physically active lifestyle at any stage of adulthood can significantly reduce the risk of death from all causes, especially cardiovascular disease. The study, which analyzed data from 85 different research papers, confirms that even those who take up physical activity later in life can enjoy substantial health benefits.

Key Findings from a Comprehensive Study

The research, conducted by a team in London, involved a sweeping review of studies with sample sizes ranging from 357 to over 6.5 million participants. Unlike previous research that assessed physical activity at only one point in time, this analysis focused on patterns and cumulative effects of activity across adulthood.

Here’s what the researchers found:

• Adults who remained consistently active throughout their lives had a 30-40% lower risk of death from any cause.
  
  

• Those who became active later in life still saw a 20-25% reduction in mortality risk.
  
  

• Transitioning from inactivity to activity reduced the risk of death by 22%, while increasing leisure-time physical activity lowered it by 27%.
  
  

• Maintaining an active lifestyle particularly reduced the risk of cardiovascular-related deaths by 40% and cancer-related deaths by 25%, compared to those who remained inactive.
  
  

Guidelines and the Power of Small Changes

Current global guidelines suggest that adults should aim for 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. Meeting these recommendations, even gradually, can yield notable health benefits. However, the study emphasizes an encouraging message: even lower-than-recommended activity levels can still lead to measurable improvements in lifespan and well-being.

Interestingly, pushing beyond the recommended amount of moderate to vigorous exercise led to only marginal additional benefits. This underscores the idea that some activity is always better than none, and overexerting may not be necessary to experience life-extending outcomes.

Cardiovascular Health Benefits Stand Out

The clearest and most consistent benefits were seen in reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases. Those who maintained or adopted active lifestyles showed far better heart health outcomes, reinforcing the critical role of movement in preventing heart-related illnesses.

While the evidence was less conclusive regarding cancer mortality, active individuals still demonstrated a general trend toward improved outcomes.

A Call to Action for All Adults

Whether you're 25 or 65, this research delivers a powerful message: adopting an active lifestyle now can positively impact your health and longevity. And for those who may have spent years leading a sedentary life, the study brings hope it’s never too late to start.

Walking, cycling, swimming, or even gardening regularly can contribute to better health. With every step, stretch, or movement, you're investing in a longer, healthier future.