These are the years you can gain in your life if you start walking: “Inactive people are the ones who can gain the most longevity”

Each person has a particular relationship with exercise. For some, it’s a passion that manifests itself in hours spent in the gym or preparing for marathons. However, for most people, physical activity takes a backseat in a society full of responsibilities and distractions. In this context, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)only 26% of men, 19% of women and 20% of adolescents meet the minimum physical activity recommendations. In this way, if we make a change in this trend, and for example, We start walking, we can even gain more years of life.

With the aim of understanding the impact of inactivity on health, a new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicinereported by Fortune, sheds light on the consequences of not meeting exercise guidelines. researchers, analyzing mortality data from more than 36,000 Americans over 40 years oldconcluded that those who do not exercise adequately may “be losing years of life.”

Research method and increased lifespan

The study transforms different forms of exercise into their equivalent in minutes of daily walking, facilitating comparison between different levels of activity. The participants were classified into four groups, from those with the least activity – equivalent to 50 minutes of daily walking – to the most active, who achieved close to three hours. This categorization reveals not only the diversity of habits around exercise, but also the potential life expectancy gain that could be achieved with an increase in activity.

One of the most surprising findings of the study is the significant “life expectancy that the inactive can earn.” Lennert Veerman, Professor of Public Health at Griffith University, states that if the most active 25% of the population could be role models, those over 40 could live 5.3 years longer, reaching a life expectancy of approximately 84 years old.

For those in the less active group, this study is a wake-up call. Veerman highlights that “Inactive people are the ones who can earn the most.” A simple increase in daily activity, such as an extra hour of walking, could translate into six more hours of life.

Those who lose time of life

Even more shocking is the revelation that if inactivity became the norm, life expectancy could be reduced by up to 5.8 years. This represents a drastic decrease in the quality of life for future generations. Thus, it becomes essential to promote a more active lifestyle from an early age to guarantee a longer and healthier life.

Any increase in physical activity has the potential to generate significant benefits, especially for those less active. Moving to a slightly higher activity group can result in a noticeable increase in life expectancy, underscoring the importance of small improvements in daily exercise.

In this regard, the DHHS emphasizes that exercise not only contributes to greater longevity, but also promotes general well-being. Improves sleep quality, facilitates daily tasks, enhances physical and cognitive function and elevates moods. It is clear that the benefits of exercise transcend simply increasing life expectancy.

Incorporating physical activity into everyday life doesn’t have to be complicated, even in a car-dependent society. “Every little contribution counts”says Veerman. Small habits, like taking stairs instead of taking the elevator, opting for public transportation, or taking active breaks at work, can have a long-term impact on your health.

Veerman concludes, “Try to find the little things you can do that don’t require too much effort. “Small actions, accumulated over years, can make a big difference.” In this way, with small changes in our daily routines, we can all contribute to our years of life and a fuller and healthier life.

“Incidental physical activity”

Here are some ways you can incorporate more movement into your day, or what Veerman calls “incidental physical activity”:

• Use stairs as much as possible.
• Try to opt for public transportation, so you can walk to and from bus or train stations.
• Use a mobile standing desk to alternate between standing and sitting.
• Walk to the water cooler, printer, bathroom, or grab a coffee at work.
• “Try to find little things that you can do that don’t require too much effort,” Veerman says. “Little things can make a big difference over the years.”

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