How Staying Active playing Racquet Sports and Other Exercises Help Older Adults Live Longer
Have you ever wondered if the types of exercise we do make a difference in how long we live? Scientists wanted to find out if some activities are better than others for helping older people live longer and healthier lives. They studied thousands of older adults to see how different types of exercise affected their chances of living longer.
What They Found Out
The scientists looked at different kinds of activities: running, cycling, swimming, aerobic exercises (like dancing or using an exercise machine), racquet sports (like squash and pickleball), golf, and walking for exercise. They found that doing any of these activities for about 7.5 to 15 hours a week helped people live longer compared to those who didn’t do these activities.
The Best Activities for Longevity
While all activities were good, some were especially helpful:
Racquet Sports (like squash, and pickleball): People who played racquet sports had the biggest reduction in the risk of dying early. It was like getting a 16% discount on your chances of not living as long!
Running: Running was also great, reducing the risk by about 15%.
Even if people only did a small amount of exercise, it still made a big difference. But once they started doing a lot more, the extra benefits weren’t as big.
More Evidence from the Copenhagen City Heart Study
Another study, called the Copenhagen City Heart Study, also found that racquet sports like tennis, squash, and badminton were among the best activities for living longer. In fact, tennis players in that study lived nearly 10 years longer than people who didn’t play any sports at all! This study also showed that the social interaction in racquet sports, where you often play with others, might be part of what makes these activities so good for your health.
What Does This Mean for Us?
This research shows that staying active is super important, especially as we get older. It doesn’t really matter which activity you choose—what’s important is finding something you enjoy and can keep doing. Whether it’s running, walking, playing racquet sports like tennis, squash, or pickleball, or even just swimming, it all helps keep you healthier and might help you live longer.
So, whether you're young or old, make sure to stay active and have fun with it!
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