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JYVÄSKYLÄ, Finland – While physical activity is widely touted as a key to extending lifespan, a new study of Finnish twins suggests the relationship between exercise and longevity may be more complex than previously thought. Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä have found that moderate activity, rather than high-intensity workouts, may offer the greatest longevity benefits, and that simply meeting physical activity guidelines doesn’t guarantee a longer life.
The study, which followed 22,750 Finnish twins born before 1958 for up to 30 years, assessed leisure-time physical activity at multiple points and tracked mortality. The findings, published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise and the European Journal of Epidemiology, revealed that the most significant drop in mortality risk (7%) occurred between sedentary individuals and those engaging in moderate activity. Surprisingly, higher levels of physical activity did not yield further benefits.
“An underlying pre-disease state can limit physical activity and ultimately lead to death, not the lack of exercise itself,” explained Associate Professor Elina Sillanpää. “This can bias the association between physical activity and mortality in the short term.”
Furthermore, the study challenged the notion that adhering to World Health Organization physical activity guidelines—150 to 300 minutes of moderate or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity weekly—directly translates to reduced mortality risk. Even twins who consistently met these guidelines showed no statistically significant difference in mortality rates compared to their less active twin pairs.
“The widely observed favorable association between physical activity and mortality are based on observational studies that are prone to bias from different sources,” said postdoctoral researcher Laura Joensuu. “In our studies, we aimed to account for various sources of biases, and combined with the long follow-up period, we could not confirm that adhering to physical activity guidelines mitigates genetic cardiovascular disease risk or causally reduces mortality.”
The researchers also examined the link between physical activity and biological aging, using epigenetic clocks to assess aging rates from blood samples. They discovered a U-shaped relationship: both the least and most active individuals exhibited accelerated biological aging. Moreover, the favorable associations between physical activity and biological aging were largely explained by other lifestyle factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
The study also included genetic analysis of nearly 5,000 twins, demonstrating that genetic susceptibility to diseases like coronary artery disease was not necessarily mitigated by increased physical activity.
These findings suggest that while physical activity remains important for overall health, its impact on longevity may be more nuanced than previously understood. The study underscores the importance of considering individual factors, including genetics and pre-existing conditions, when evaluating the benefits of exercise.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on the provided information and should not be taken as medical advice. The findings of this study may not be applicable to all individuals, and further research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between exercise and longevity. Consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your exercise routine.
