Regular Exercise Cuts All‑Cause Mortality Risk by Up to 40%, Global Study Finds

A sweeping review of 85 long‑term studies tracking more than 7 million adults on five continents found that people who keep their heart rate up for at least 150 minutes a week slash their odds of premature death by as much as 40 percent—and age is no barrier to reaping the reward.

What the Analysis Shows

• Scope: 85 cohort studies, 7 million participants, decades of follow‑up.
• Headline figure: Up to 40 % lower all‑cause mortality for the most active group versus the least active.
• Cardio payoff: Deaths from cardiovascular disease fell by 40 %.
• Cancer risk: Fatal cancer dropped 25 % among regular exercisers.
• Sweet spot: About 300 minutes of moderate activity each week delivered the biggest longevity bump; gains plateaued beyond that.

Results were published this week in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Never Too Late to Start

Older adults who laced up later in life saw an additional 10–15 percent risk reduction, said co‑author Ruyi Yu of the University of Queensland. “It’s never too late—starting at any point in adulthood lengthens and strengthens life,” added senior lecturer Gregore Mielke.

Activity Guidelines at a Glance

Maintaining some movement still beats none: participants who fell short of official targets but remained active enjoyed a 9–15 percent longevity edge over lifelong couch sitters.

Consistency Matters

People who abandoned exercise routines lost nearly all protective benefit, underscoring the need for lifelong habits. “Do whatever keeps you moving—and keep doing it,” Mielke said.

Expert Perspective

Dr. Andrew Freeman, cardiovascular prevention specialist at National Jewish Health (not involved in the study), called exercise “the closest thing we have to an elixir of youth,” noting that no pill matches its broad impact on health.

Getting Started Safely

• Check with your doctor before beginning a program, especially if you have chronic conditions.
• Build gradually toward a 30‑minute brisk walk most days.
• Add resistance: carry light weights, wear a loaded backpack, bike uphill, or use swim fins to pair strength work with cardio.
• Buddy up: conversation‑paced outings strengthen relationships and adherence.

Bottom Line

From reducing heart‑disease deaths to extending overall lifespan, regular aerobic movement—at any age—remains one of the simplest, most powerful tools for a longer, healthier life.