Just an hour of walk in middle-age can add years to life, study says

Question

Research Scientists claim that if people over the age of 40 become as physically active as the top 25% of the population, they are to expect an extra 5 years of life.

Answer 1

This claim appears to be true but poorly worded. The source provided goes on to add more context to the claim that physically active people over 40 could live an additional 5 years; researchers from the British Journal of Sports Medicine created a data model that allows them to predict life expectancy based on a person's physical activity. The average activity level for Americans over 40 being, "160 minutes of normal-paced walking at 4.8km (3 miles) per hour each day" which lead to a predicted increase of 5 years in life expectancy. Walking in the form of exercise doesn't just benefit people over 40; walking or moderately jogging can also help decrease potential morality in other age groups as well. A study published in the Lancet Journal details how younger folks in their twenties with a minimum  physical activity (92 minutes per week) reduced their mortality by 14% and added a predicted 3 year lifespan increase. Another article published in research journal Frontiers details how men and women over 65+ years managed to decrease their mortality by 81% via daily walking exercise despite their pre-established health conditions (such as a history of cancer or stroke/s). Overall, walking can be a healthy exercise and increase life span for almost any age group.

Sources:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(11)60749-6/fulltext?rel=outbound

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2013.00011/full

Answer 2

For middle-aged individuals, making a regular walking routine part of daily life can significantly reduce the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers—factors known to shorten lifespan. Walking is great for improving cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, boosting circulation, and even enhancing mental well-being by lowering stress and anxiety. Research shows that as little as 30 minutes of moderate exercise(such as walking) a few times a week can help lower the chances of premature death. If you can manage an hour of walking, the benefits increase even further. A study in The Lancet found that people who stay physically active have a considerably lower risk of early death compared to those who remain inactive. This isn’t just true for middle-aged people; anyone can benefit from adding an hour of walking to their routine, potentially adding years to their life.

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22818936/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/daily-walk-may-prolong-lifespan