Five-Minute Brisk Walks Significantly Cut Risk of Premature Death, New Study Finds

A recent international study involving around 135,000 participants from Sweden, Norway, the UK, and the USA has revealed that just five minutes of brisk walking daily can substantially lower the risk of premature death.

This finding, published in The Lancet and highlighted by Swedish researchers including physiotherapy professor Maria Hagströmer, shows that adding even a brief heart-pumping walk reduces premature death risk by 6%, especially among those who are the least active. Furthermore, reducing sedentary time by an hour daily is linked to a 13% lower mortality risk.

While the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 150 minutes of exercise per week, this study underscores that even much shorter bouts of physical activity can yield significant health benefits. The research tracked physical activity via monitors over an average of eight years, indicating that small increases in movement can have important public health impacts.

The authors caution that the study is observational and other contributing factors may exist, but the key takeaway is clear: encouraging inactive individuals to incorporate short, brisk walks into their daily routines can be a pragmatic approach to improving longevity.

As Hagströmer noted, those already physically active may see less pronounced benefits from adding more exercise, so targeting those with the lowest activity levels is crucial. This insight offers a simple, accessible health message relevant to the Swedish public and beyond.