A groundbreaking study reveals that physical activity might be more beneficial than we ever imagined. Researchers found that every hour of walking could yield up to six additional hours of life. If every American over 40 were as active as the top 25% of their peers, the national life expectancy could rise by nearly five years. The research, conducted by Griffith University and international collaborators, relied on precise device-based measurements instead of self-reported data. This approach showed that the link between physical activity and longevity is roughly twice as strong as previously believed. Currently, the most active quarter of Americans over 40 walk the equivalent of 160 minutes daily at a normal pace. For the least active quarter to match this, they’d need to add about 111 minutes of daily walking or similar activity. While this may seem daunting, the payoff is immense—potentially up to 11 extra years of life expectancy.
