Regular physical activity is vital for both physical and mental health, backed by robust scientific evidence. For instance, just one hour of exercise per week can help ward off depression, while 20 minutes of daily walking lowers heart attack risk. Better fitness also correlates with greater longevity. Researchers at Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands analyzed data from 120,000 men and women surveyed in 1986. They focused on 4,161 men and 3,646 women aged 68 to 70, who reported their daily activities—like walking the dog, gardening, home exercises, or cycling—along with height and weight at age 70 and age 20. Participants were grouped into four categories based on daily activity: less than 30 minutes, 30-60 minutes, 60-90 minutes, or more than 90 minutes.
Over several years, the team tracked outcomes to see how many reached 90. Of the 7,807 participants, 944 women and 433 men became nonagenarians. Women exercising 30-60 minutes daily were 21% more likely to reach their 90s compared to those doing less than 30 minutes. For men, 90 minutes daily increased odds by 39% versus just 30 minutes. Each additional 30 minutes of activity boosted nonagenarian chances by 5%. While logical, the study did not account for factors like alcohol or tobacco use. If exercise is on your 2019 goals list, now's the time to commit—your future self will thank you.
