Just 11 Minutes of Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity Could Reduce Risk of Early Death

In a study published today in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge say that 11 minutes a day (75 minutes a week) of moderate-intensity physical activity – such as a brisk walk – would be sufficient to lower the risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke and a number of cancers. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, responsible for 17.9 million deaths per year in 2019, while cancers were responsible for 9.6 million deaths in 2017. The researchers carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis pooling and analysing cohort data from all of the published evidence. They found that beyond 150 min per week of moderate-intensity activity, the additional benefits in terms of reduced risk of disease or early death were marginal. Accumulating 75 min per week of moderate-intensity activity brought with it a 23 per cent lower risk of early death. If everyone in the studies had done the equivalent of at least 150 min per week of moderate-intensity activity, around one in six (16 per cent) early deaths would be prevented. Even if everyone managed at least 75 min per week of moderate-intensity physical activity, around one in ten (10 per cent) early deaths would be prevented.