Varied Exercise Linked to 19% Lower All-Cause Mortality

Overview

• Researchers analyzed the Nurses' Health Study (121,700 women) and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (51,529 men) using biennial activity questionnaires starting in 1986.
• Across roughly 30 years of follow-up, 38,847 deaths were recorded, including 9,901 from cardiovascular disease, 10,719 from cancer, and 3,159 from respiratory causes.
• After accounting for total activity volume, participating in a wider range of activity types was associated with a 19% lower risk of death from any cause and a 13%–41% lower risk across major causes.
• Most individual activities were linked to reduced mortality, with reported associations for walking (about 17% lower), stair climbing (about 10% lower), racket sports, resistance training, and running, while swimming showed no clear association.
• Authors noted the observational design, self-reported exposures, and limited racial diversity constrain causal inference and generalizability, while varied movement may support adherence and complementary health benefits.