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Moderate physical activity improves health and longevity
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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A group of researchers at Karolinska University in Stockholm have concluded in new research that a walk in the park is much healthier than intense exercise in a gym or fitness center.
Scientists from Sweden were able to prove that there is a simple but quite effective method that will help to prolong life and avoid a number of health problems. As it turned out, walking or ordinary standing helps to live several years longer.
During their research, the scientists found that a sedentary lifestyle contributes to the shortening of telomeres – the end sections of chromosomes.
Science knows that it is the telomeres, which are located at the ends of chromosomes, that protect them from damage, reduce wear and tear and sticking together. Among experts, telomeres are known as a kind of biological clock of the human body. The longer the end of the tail section of the chromosome, the younger the organism. From the moment the telomeres begin to shorten, the process of decrepitude of the organism begins, which starts the aging process.
During their experiment, the scientists examined approximately fifty people aged 65 and over. Each of the volunteers had problems with excess weight and all of them preferred a sedentary lifestyle.
Over the course of six months of the experiment, 25 participants were required to lead their usual lifestyle, while the rest were required to regularly work out at the gym. Throughout this time, scientists monitored the participants from the two groups, while noting the level of physical activity of the volunteers.
Each participant had to keep a special diary in which to record the amount of time spent sitting or in the gym (depending on the group), and the specialists also took readings from pedometers.
After six months, the scientists concluded that regular exercise had improved the health of the participants, but the decisive factor was the time spent sitting. As it turned out, the less time spent sitting, the longer the telomeres, and, consequently, the longer the life expectancy.
This study by Swedish scientists once again confirms the harm of a sedentary lifestyle.
In earlier studies, experts had already established that a sedentary lifestyle leads to the development of heart failure and premature death, and a sedentary lifestyle also increases the likelihood of developing cancer.
However, excessive physical activity can also have a negative impact on health and life expectancy. For example, a study by scientists from Pennsylvania showed that long runs do not have the best effect on health. According to experts, excessive physical activity contributes to rapid wear and tear of the body, which ultimately leads to premature death.
Experts say that running is the best way to prevent a number of diseases and stay in good shape, but you should run no more than 2-3 times a week, and you should plan your time so that training takes no more than 2.5 hours a week.
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