NEW STUDY FINDS LINK BETWEEN EXERCISE VARIETY AND LONGER LIFE
![]()
- A new study suggests that incorporating a variety of physical activities, rather than repeating the same exercise, may contribute to a longer lifespan.
- Published in BMJ Medicine, the findings indicate that how one exercises could be as important as the amount of exercise.
- Researchers analysed over 30 years of data from two large long-term studies, the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, involving over 170,000 participants.
- Participants who engaged in a greater variety of physical activities, including walking, strength training, and racquet sports, showed a nearly 20 per cent lower risk of death from all causes.
- The study, while observational, supports the notion that long-term engagement in multiple types of physical activity may help extend one's lifespan.
![]()
IN FULL
The small change to your exercise routine that could lead to a longer life
From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here.
2026-04-16T17:27:14Z