Over 40? This Amount Of Daily Exercise Can Save Your Life, New Study Says

We all know that staying physically fit benefits your overall health in a multitude of ways. But a new study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal indicates that an estimated 110,000 deaths in the U.S. can be prevented on an annual basis if people over 40 become more physically active each day. Read on to learn exactly how much exercise can make a difference, and next, check out The 6 Best Exercises for Strong and Toned Arms in 2022, Trainer Says.

This is how much exercise you should add to your regimen

man over 40 on bike in field — Shutterstock

The researchers studied the physical activeness and death rates within a certain population of adults. In addition, they approximated the number of mortalities averted on an annual basis with just slight escalations in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels (MVPA).

The study utilized accelerometer data to analyze the correlation between physical activity and death in a sampling of U.S. adults and approximate how many deaths could be prevented each year when adding a slight amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to what the individuals usually do. They found that by adding just 10 extra minutes of physical activity to what they normally do, they could help stop 110,000 deaths from occurring annually throughout the country.

Just 10 extra minutes is key, which could be an easy walk around the block or bike ride. The study reflects that the number of deaths would decrease even further if the amount of physical activity increased each day to 20 or 30 minutes.

Related: Exercising This Much Could Prevent Multiple Types of Cancer, New Study Finds

Incorporating exercise into your daily routine and developing a healthy lifestyle is so important

woman over 40 dressed in pink hat and jacket runs on beach — Shutterstock

It is known that as we age, the risk for chronic conditions unfortunately also increases. This can include cardiovascular disease, dementia, anxiety, and depression, as noted by Stanford Medicine. It's important to incorporate exercise into your daily routine and develop a healthy lifestyle. Not only will it increase your chances for avoiding or aiding health issues, but it can also add years to your life.

Related: Over 40? Here's How to Lose Abdominal Fat

Core exercises, strength training, and stretching are key

happy woman over 40 stretches on yoga mat — Shutterstock

According to Randall Stafford, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine Stanford Medicine, it's crucial to perform core exercises, strength training, and stretching in order to maintain balance and flexibility, and reduce the loss of muscle, particularly for individuals 40 and over. Stafford states, "We need to start thinking about these diseases [as diseases] of neglect, not necessarily of aging, that occur because people have not been able to maintain a lifelong pattern of healthy behavior."