Which sports offer the biggest longevity boost?
Certain sports may provide more longevity benefits than others, according to research.
In a Jan. 15 New York Times article, several experts, including I-Min Lee, professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, weighed in on which sports might help people live longer—and how they help.
Recent studies have found that tennis and other racket sports, more so than other sports, have been linked to lower risk of early death, perhaps because they blend physical and cognitive challenges and social connection, the article noted. Other sports providing longevity benefits include cycling, swimming, and golf.
Resistance training can also help people age well, reducing the risk of early death as well as improving mood and cognitive function. Lee noted that such training, by staving off age-related declines in muscle mass, can help people keep up with their day-to-activities and stay independent.
Research has shown links between physical activity and lower risks of cancer, depression, dementia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, according to the article. And although federal guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and two days of muscle-strengthening exercise each week, it’s been shown that even four to five minutes of vigorous activity per day can improve longevity.
Experts advised engaging in sports that provide social connectedness, that enable you to continually challenge yourself and to exercise your whole body, and that you can stick with over time. Switching sports is fine if it keeps you going.
“Find something that works for you,” Lee said. “The bottom line is to move more.”
Read the New York Times article: The Best Sports for Longevity
