Study Links Five Minutes of Daily Activity to Fewer Premature Deaths

A large-scale analysis of data from 150,000 adults in the UK, the US and Scandinavia found that five minutes of moderate physical activity per day was linked to preventing around one in ten premature deaths across the population. The study, led by Ulf Ekelund, professor of physical activity and health at the Norwegian School of Sport, examined how small daily increases in movement affect longevity.

Ekelund said the findings show benefits at the population level rather than for individuals.

Reducing daily sitting time by 30 minutes was associated with a 7% reduction in early deaths. Physical inactivity remains a leading cause of chronic disease and earlier death. Ekelund said adults should still aim for the World Health Organization recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

He added that people who find it difficult to reach a gym can still gain benefits by adding movement to daily routines.

The research builds on earlier studies showing that short periods of activity spread throughout the day can improve heart health and muscular endurance. One analysis found that more than 82% of older adults continued such routines, likely because the activity fits easily into daily life.

Nicole Logan, assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Rhode Island, said physical activity helps prevent high stress and burnout rates. She noted that muscle strength, bone strength and physical function are strong predictors of later-life mortality.

Marie Murphy, professor of exercise and health at Ulster University, said smaller chunks of exercise increase how often metabolism is stimulated. She added that metabolism remains elevated for a short time after activity ends.