New Study Finds Just Five Minutes of Daily Walking Can Extend Life

A recent international study published in The Lancet reveals that adding just five minutes of brisk walking to daily routines can significantly enhance health and reduce the risk of premature death, particularly for individuals who are mostly inactive. The research, conducted by Swedish and Norwegian scientists, analyzed data from approximately 135,000 participants aged 40 and older across Sweden, Norway, the UK, and the USA. Participants wore activity trackers over an average period of eight years.

Key findings indicate that just five additional minutes per day of heart-rate elevating activity is linked to a 6% lower risk of premature death among the least active individuals. Moreover, reducing sedentary time by one hour daily correlates with a 13% reduction in premature death risk. These associations held even after adjusting for gender, socioeconomic status, and other health conditions.

Professor Maria Hagströmer, a co-author and physiotherapy expert, emphasized that the greatest health benefits occur in those who are currently least active. Ing-Mari Dohrn, another study co-author, noted, “Even a few minutes of daily movement can make a significant difference.” The study supports the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 150 minutes of weekly exercise but highlights that even shorter bursts of physical activity can produce substantial health advantages.

While the study is observational and other factors may influence the results, the challenge remains to motivate inactive individuals to increase their activity, as further increments yield less benefit for already active persons. The findings underscore the public health importance of simple lifestyle changes to improve longevity and reduce mortality risks.