A comprehensive Finnish twin study from the University of Jyväskylä has challenged the widespread assumption that increased activity automatically leads to a longer lifespan. The study analyzed 45 years of data from 22,750 twins born before 1958 and examined the relationship between leisure activity, mortality, and biological aging.
Moderate exercise shows the greatest benefit
Participants were divided into four groups based on their activity level: sedentary, moderately active, active, and very active. The results showed that the greatest difference in mortality risk was between the sedentary and moderately active groups, with a 7% reduced risk for the moderately active. However, higher activity levels did not lead to further significant benefits in terms of mortality.
Intense Exercise and Accelerated Biological Aging
Surprisingly, the analysis of biological age, measured by epigenetic markers, revealed that both the least and most active individuals exhibited accelerated biological aging. This suggests a U-shaped relationship, in which both physical inactivity and excessive activity can have negative effects on biological age.
Adherence to Exercise Recommendations Does Not Automatically Prolong Life
The study also examined whether following the World Health Organization’s exercise recommendations (150–300 minutes of moderate or 75–150 minutes of vigorous activity per week) reduces the risk of death. However, the results showed that even twins who met these recommendations showed no significant differences in mortality rates compared to their less active siblings.
Conclusion
The study suggests that while moderate physical activity is associated with lower mortality, there are no additional benefits from more intense exercise. Furthermore, excessive exercise can accelerate biological aging. These findings underscore the importance of a balanced lifestyle in which moderate exercise is part of an overall healthy lifestyle.
”Want to live longer? Walk, don't run!
Sources:
https://www.vitabasix.com/verlaengert-koerperliche-aktivitaet-wirklich-das-leben-finnische-zwillingsstudie-liefert-neue-erkenntnisse/?
https://www.bild.de/ratgeber/2023/ratgeber/sport-koennte-sie-schneller-altern-lassen-zeigt-eine-neue-studie-86356110.bild.html?
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/verlangert-bewegung-tatsachlich-das-leben-sport-senkt-nicht-kausal-die-sterblichkeit-13368301.html?
https://de.innerself.com/Leben/der-Knochen-und-des-Bewegungsapparates/Fitness-und-Bewegung/29611-new-insights-on-exercise-and-aging-from-the-finnish-twins-study.html?
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/forscherin-uber-die-risiken-von-zu-viel-sport-sehr-aktive-menschen-zeigten-beschleunigtes-biologisches-altern-13401382.html?
