Want To Live Longer? Research Says To Mix It Up

Change It Up: We know that more exercise is generally associated with improved health outcomes and a lower risk of mortality from any cause. But now, research tells us that the type of movement we do — not just how much of it — also greatly influences our risk of premature death. 

The Study: Scientists analyzed more than 30 years of health and lifestyle data from over 111,000 adults. Participants reported how much time they spent doing a range of activities, including walking, running, cycling, swimming, strength training, racquet sports, yoga, gardening, and more. Researchers then created scores based on both exercise volume and the number of activities performed. The results showed that people with the greatest exercise variety had a 19% lower risk of mortality than those with the least variety.

The Takeaway: There’s still a clear case for repetition when you want to get good at something or if you have a specific goal like building muscle. But if you want to live longer, it pays to mix it up. 

Keep in Mind: The study authors clarify that though the findings are strong due to the study length and size, there are still limitations to this work, including potential errors in self-reported data.