Much Movement, Few Interruptions Linked to Lowest Death Risk
Graded Moderate — researchers followed 94,014 adults for nearly seven years, but movement was measured only once and an observational study cannot separate cause from effect.
- Design
- Prospective cohort study
- Participants
- 94,014
- Duration
- 6.9 years
- Funding
- —
People who were active for much of the day and rarely broke off movement abruptly had the lowest risk of death.
Total minutes of movement may not tell the whole story. In a large British study, the lowest risk of death was seen in people who were active for much of the day and rarely slipped straight back into sitting. Compared with the group that moved least and in the most broken-up way, their risk was 39 percent lower.
The data came from 94,014 adults in the UK Biobank, a large British health database. Each wore a movement sensor on the wrist. They were then followed for close to seven years on average, and 4,901 died. Every extra ten minutes a day of brisk or hard activity went along with a 4 percent lower risk of death. When total activity time was the same, more time spent in short bursts of under five minutes was linked to lower risk.
Movement was measured only once. People who are already ill may move differently to begin with. Fittingly, when people with chronic diseases were left out, the link with often interrupted activity disappeared. The participants are also healthier and better off than the general population.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.