Regular physical activity: better than an apple a day?

A new study provides further evidence that a physically active lifestyle can extend the quantity and quality of life. The study found that there was a gain in life expectancy of 3.4 years for individuals who averaged 150 – 300 minutes of physical activity per week – when compared to individuals with no regular physical activity. Study results applied to individuals 40 years of age and older.  Similar results in a study in Taiwan suggest the longevity benefits are transnational and cross cultural. Importantly, physical activity provided a benefit for individuals across the spectrum of body mass index, meaning that even obese individuals could expect to see some life expectancy gains with regular physical activity.  Click here for a link to the study.

- Doug Hirano, MPH, APCA Executive Director