Physical activity and life expectancy: a life-table analysis

Review written by Dr Mariana Wingood info

Key Points

  1. Adults aged 18-64 should aim for 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity weekly aerobic activity, along with muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week.
All key points available for members only
Start free trial Icon
Or log in here

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Inadequate physical activity, defined as not meeting the physical activity recommendations presented in Box 1, is associated with mortality (1). The importance of meeting these guidelines is even greater among older adults and those with chronic conditions and disability (1). Compared to adults not meeting the guidelines, the risk of all-cause mortality is 11% lower if they meet the muscle strengthening activity guidelines, 29% lower if they meet the aerobic activity guidelines, and 40% lower if they meet both (2). Furthermore, recent literature utilizing improved physical activity data metrics indicate that prior research underestimates the impact of inadequate physical activity.

Image

The aim of this study was to use novel physical activity metrics to estimate how inadequate physical activity reduces life expectancy, and how it could be improved via physical activity.

For older adults and those with chronic conditions and disability, the risk of all-cause mortality is 11% lower if they meet the muscle strengthening activity guidelines, 29% lower if they meet the aerobic activity guidelines, and 40% lower if they meet both.
bulb
If patients indicate that they have intent to participate in physical activity, physical therapists could use an evidence-informed behavior change technique called Brief Action Planning.

METHODS

Design: Construction of life table, a demographic tool that shows the likelihood a person will live or die at a specific age.

Start free trial Icon
to unlock full access to this review and 1073 more
Or log in here
Trustpilot