A new study has revealed how implementing 15 minutes of activity into your day could dramatically boost your lifespan.
We all know by now how important it is for our health to keep our bodies moving, despite the strains of everyday life sometimes getting in the way.
Because really, who wants to go for a run after a long day in the office when you can instead put your feet up on the sofa and doomscroll on TikTok for a few hours?
But it turns out that being consistent when it comes to exercise can really pay off, and one certain activity could actually increase your lifespan if you keep at it every single day.
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Walking at speed for just 15 minutes each day could even reduce your risk of early death by up to 20 percent, but don't be fooled into thinking speed doesn't matter.
Research has found that more than three hours of slow walking would only reduce the risk of mortality by a modest four percent, proving that faster, shorter walks are far more efficient for overall health.
An observational study looked at 79,856 individuals over an average of 16.7 years, focusing on Black individuals and people from low-income families across southeastern states in the United States, though the benefits are widely considered to apply to people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
The emphasis on these ordinarily underrepresented groups in this particular study is to highlight the impact of low-cost, easy-to-adapt activities that can help promote health equity.
Participants were asked to record the number of minutes on average they spent 'walking slowly (such as moving around, walking at work, walking the dog, or engaging in light exercise)" and "walking fast (such as climbing stairs, brisk walking, or exercising)', Science Daily reports.
The study also gathered information on participants' vital statuses and their cause of death from the National Death Index to compare their activity levels to the timing and cause of their death.
Speed walking boasts a number of cardiovascular benefits, by boosting heart efficiency, oxygen delivery and helping manage weight, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Most importantly, however, speed walking is incredibly accessible as it's suitable for people of all ages, fitness levels and backgrounds and it doesn't cost a penny.
The last point is particularly important in areas of low income, where individuals may lack access to health insurance and health care that could support life longevity.
Statistically, people from lower-income communities have a higher prevalence of lifestyle behaviours that could increase mortality, such as drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and consuming a lower quality diet.
The authors of the study concluded that 'public health campaigns and community-based programmes can emphasise the importance and availability of fast walking within all communities.'
"Furthermore, the findings of the reduced mortality associated with fast walking pace were supported by previous studies conducted in middle- and upper-middle-income populations," they wrote.
"Individuals should strive to incorporate more intense physical activity into their routines, such as brisk walking or other forms of aerobic exercise."
Topics: Health
Emma Rosemurgey