Does being fit affect life expectancy?

Author: Joana Ledner  |  Last update: Sunday, September 28, 2025

Being physically active indeed appears to be associated with a higher life expectancy. Samitz et al. [7] as well as Warburton et al. [11] reported a mean reduction of mortality of 31% to 35% in persons who participate in regular leisure-time or daily life physical activity compared to that in inactive persons.

Do fit people age slower?

In fact, physical fitness actually decreases your so-called ``fitness age'', which is a better predictor of longevity than your chronological age. So if you are fifty years old but have a fitness age of thirty, you'd be expected to live longer than another fifty-year-old with a fitness age of seventy.

Is being in shape better for longevity?

Being in shape is far more crucial for a long, healthy life than being slim. That's the conclusion of the largest, most comprehensive study yet of the relationship between aerobic fitness, body mass index and longevity.

How will being fit affect you later in life?

Staying active can help: Lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. Improve your strength and balance so you can prevent injuries and stay independent. Lower your pain.

Do you think your physical fitness can impact your life expectancy?

An estimated 110,000 deaths per year could be prevented if U.S. adults ages 40 and older increased their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Even 10 minutes more a day would make a difference. Taking more steps a day also helps lower the risk of premature death from all causes.

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Do fit people live longer?

All studies reported a higher life expectancy in physically active subjects, ranging from 0.43 to 6.9 additional years (mean ± one standard deviation, men: 2.9 ± 1.3 years, women: 3.9 ± 1.8 years).

What affects life expectancy the most?

Many factors affect how long an individual will live. Some are controllable, such as access to medical care and proper nutrition. But other factors are uncontrollable, such as genetic disor- ders. Technology, including advances in the treatment of many diseases, has had a major impact on life expectancy.

What exercise makes you live the longest?

Dr. Roizen adds that cardiovascular exercises—including walking—have been repeatedly scientifically linked to longevity. So no matter what your cardio activity of choice is (swimming, running, cycling, rowing), you're adding years to your life by making it a habit.

Is life better when you're fit?

Being active can also help to slow or manage chronic disease and to delay death. For older adults who are managing a diagnosis, exercising with chronic conditions can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of developing new health conditions.

What is the average age people stop exercising?

Only about 30% of people ages 45 to 64 say they engage in regular leisure-time physical activity. This falls to 25% of those between the ages of 65 and 74 and 11% of people age 85 and older.

Do fit people last longer?

Regular Exercise Can Help Men Delay Ejaculation

The authors found that regular physical activity as an intervention had promising results in many of the studies they analyzed in their research review.

Which body shape lives the longest?

Pear Shape

It's more common among women, and it may be part of the reason they often live longer than men. That could be because belly fat, more common in men, is linked to more health problems than lower-body fat. One study found that in some cases fat in the hips and thighs was linked to lower odds for some diseases.

Which sport increases life expectancy the most?

Certain Sports Can Increase Your Lifespan, Research Shows
  • Tennis added 9.7 years onto someone's life.
  • Badminton added 6.2 years onto someone's life.
  • Soccer added 4.7 years onto someone's life.
  • Cycling added 3.7 years onto someone's life.
  • Swimming added 3.4 years onto someone's life.

Which exercise is most anti-aging?

The best anti-aging exercises for older adults
  • 150 minutes a week minimum of moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, like jogging.
  • Two days a week minimum of strengthening exercises, like lifting weights.
  • Balance-improving activities, like balancing on one foot.

At what age do you really start slowing down?

Declines in walking speed and aerobic endurance became evident in the 60s and 70s. More physical activity was associated with less physical decline, especially in ages 60 to 79.

At what age are you the fittest?

In summary, Women are the strongest between 26 and 37 years of age. Men are the strongest between 26 and 35 years of age. But of course there are individual differences between athletes and some people peak before or after that age window.

Is being fit actually healthy?

Fit individuals, regardless of being normal weight, overweight, or obese, exhibited no statistically significant increase in the risks of all-cause mortality or cardiovascular disease compared to normal weight-fit individuals. Conversely, unfit individuals in any BMI category showed markedly higher risks.

Are fit people more successful in life?

There's something about waking up and crushing a workout before the day has even begun. You feel motivated, successful, and productive. It puts you in a good mood, which carries you throughout the day. That's perhaps why people who exercise regularly enjoy greater career advancements and success.

What happens if you stay fit?

Exercise combats health conditions and diseases

This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which lowers your risk of heart and blood vessel, called cardiovascular, diseases. Regular exercise helps prevent or manage many health problems and concerns, including: Stroke. Metabolic syndrome.

Do gym goers live longer?

Additionally, adults who worked out two to four times more than the recommended amount of vigorous physical activity —about 150 to 299 minutes per week—were found to have 21% to 23% lower risk of all-cause mortality, according to the study.

What is the number one exercise for aging?

Strength Training

Strength training is highly beneficial for seniors, as it helps maintain muscle mass, improve bone density, and enhance overall physical functionality. As people age, they naturally lose muscle mass, which can lead to weakness and a higher risk of falls and fractures.

What are the best indicators of longevity?

In this article we have identified six important predictors of longevity: VO2max, grip strength, leg strength, balance, muscle mass, and muscular power. These predictors are particularly important as we age, as they can help maintain mobility, balance, and independence.

What is the strongest predictor of longevity?

Parental longevity is one of the most important predictors of survival to age 100 for both men and women.

What is the one sleep habit that matters for a longer life?

A recent study looking at sleep and longevity found that sleep “regularity”—going to bed and waking up at consistent times with few mid-slumber interruptions—matters more than how long you sleep.

Why do some unhealthy people live so long?

Their good genes work to counteract the effects of bad behavior and bad habits. Some genes not only slow down cellular aging, but also provide an anti-aging effect—giving some people a huge advantage when it comes to living a long, if unhealthy, life.

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