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November 26, 2024 — A groundbreaking study underscores the universal benefits of physical activity (PA), revealing its critical role in lowering mortality risk across all adult age groups. Published in JAMA Network Open, researchers analyzed data from over 2 million adults to assess how the relationship between PA and mortality evolves with age.
Key Findings: Physical Activity Saves Lives at Any Age
The study, pooling data from four large cohorts across diverse populations, found that adhering to PA guidelines—150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week—significantly reduced all-cause mortality risk.
Older adults saw the most substantial benefits, with PA demonstrating a stronger protective effect against mortality as age increased. Those meeting PA recommendations experienced a 22% reduction in mortality risk, with older adults benefitting the most. Even moderate levels of PA were advantageous: just half the recommended amount was associated with an 8% lower risk of death. Engaging in four to five times the recommended levels offered the greatest reductions—up to 26%.
Conversely, other modifiable health factors, such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and controlling hypertension, showed diminishing effects on mortality as age advanced.
Study Overview: Multinational Insights
This extensive study drew on data from the National Health Interview Survey (U.S.), UK Biobank, China Kadoorie Biobank, and Mei Jau cohorts, encompassing 2,011,186 participants aged 20–97. Over a median follow-up of 11.5 years, 177,436 deaths were recorded.
Participants self-reported leisure-time PA, measured in metabolic equivalent (MET) hours per week. Researchers harmonized data on additional health factors, such as education, smoking, alcohol use, and chronic conditions, to ensure consistent comparisons across populations.
Statistical analyses revealed a nonlinear dose-response relationship between PA and mortality risk, highlighting that even small increases in PA levels could yield meaningful benefits.
Discussion: Age-Specific Benefits and Implications
The findings highlight the critical importance of physical activity in older adults, a population more vulnerable to noncommunicable diseases like cancer and cardiovascular conditions. Unlike other health factors, PA’s protective effects against mortality do not wane with age, underscoring its unique role in promoting longevity.
“While the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight or avoiding smoking are well-documented, this study shows that physical activity stands out as a consistent life-extending factor at every age,” said lead researcher Dr. Martinez-Gomez.
Challenges and Recommendations
The study’s reliance on self-reported data and the absence of longitudinal PA tracking present limitations. However, its robust methodology and large, diverse sample size lend credibility to the findings.
As global PA levels decline with age, researchers stress the importance of tailored public health campaigns encouraging consistent physical activity, especially for older adults.
“This study reinforces the need for lifelong commitment to physical activity, not only to enhance quality of life but to extend it,” concluded Dr. Martinez-Gomez.
Reference:
Martinez-Gomez D. et al., JAMA Network Open, 7(11):e2446802 (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.46802
