AI Overview
A recent study suggests that engaging in regular physical activity can increase your lifespan, with some sports showing greater benefits than others.
According to the Copenhagen City Heart Study, tennis players experience the largest increase in life expectancy, adding an average of 9.7 years to their lives compared to sedentary individuals.
Here is a summary of how various sports activities were found to impact life expectancy:
Sport Added Years to Life Expectancy
Tennis 9.7
Badminton 6.2
Soccer 4.7
Cycling 3.7
Swimming 3.4
Jogging 3.2
Calisthenics 3.1
Analysis
Racquet sports like tennis and badminton appear to be particularly beneficial for longevity. This may be due to the combination of cardiovascular endurance, mental engagement, balance, and hand-eye coordination required.
Participation in any recreational activity that gets you moving is associated with greater longevity.
Beyond increasing lifespan, regular physical activity is linked to numerous health benefits, including lower rates of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, improved cardiovascular fitness, and stronger bones and muscles.
Social interaction, often a component of sports like tennis and team sports, is also believed to contribute to increased longevity.
Regularly Engaging in Physical Activity May Extend Your Lifespan
Results are provided below. * Tennis: The Top Physical Activity for Longevity. The leading finding from the study was that tennis ranked highest in life expectation...
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Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Associates
Certain Sports Can Increase Your Lifespan, Research Shows
Jan 2, 2025 — Certain Sports Can Increase Your Lifespan, Research Shows. ... You likely know that eating a nutritious diet, getting quality sleep and staying physically active..
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Henry Ford Health