Many people are still trapped in the stigma that a healthy lifestyle requires hours at the gym with high-intensity workouts. However, a recent study dispels this notion by revealing that a short exercise duration of just five minutes per day already has a tangible positive impact on a person's lifespan.
The study's findings confirm that moderate-intensity physical activity—such as brisk walking, cycling, or simply climbing stairs—can significantly reduce premature mortality rates. If done consistently, this simple habit is estimated to prevent at least one in ten premature deaths in the general population.
Nicole Logan, a kinesiologist from the University of Rhode Island, emphasizes that the benefits of this short duration go beyond physical health. According to her, routine movement is highly effective in minimizing stress and symptoms of mental burnout. Additionally, this physical activity plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density, muscle quality, and overall physical body function.
Although the analyzed data covered 150,000 adults, researchers still urge the public not to abandon long-term health goals. Referring to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, the ideal duration of moderate-intensity exercise is 150 minutes per week. However, for individuals with time constraints, integrating small movements into daily life is a very valuable first step.
Physical activity expert from the Norwegian School of Sport, Ulf Ekelund, suggests that people start moving slowly but surely. Practical strategies such as reducing sitting time by 30 minutes or simply increasing daily steps have been proven to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 11 percent. Simple choices of activities like doing squats or push-ups in between household chores can be an effective solution to keep body metabolism optimal.
