Overview
- Researchers tracked 111,373 adults in two U.S. cohorts for about three decades and found the widest variety of activities was associated with a 19% lower all-cause mortality risk independent of total activity.
- Total activity benefits leveled off around 20 MET-hours per week, roughly equivalent to two hours of running or five hours of brisk walking.
- Activity-specific links included lower mortality for walking (~17%), racquet sports (~15%), rowing (~14%), running or weight training (~13%), jogging (~11%), cycling (~4%), and stair climbing (~10%).
- Swimming showed no significant reduction in all-cause mortality in this dataset, a result the authors note may reflect limited intensity information for that activity.
- The study is observational and relies on self-reported data from predominantly white health professionals, and experts frame the practical takeaway as maintaining regular activity and diversifying exercise types.