How to live longer: Tennis is the best sport to add nearly a decade onto your lifespan

Gemma Collins says she has the ‘buzz’ for exercise

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Playing a game of tennis can add nearly 10 years onto your lifespan compared to those leading a sedentary lifestyle. But what were the results for badminton, football, cycling, swimming and jogging? Dr Peter Schnohr, alongside his colleagues, conducted research to find out how many years each activity could add on to a person’s life. They did this by monitoring the health status of 8,577 participants – for up to 25 years – who took part in the Copenhagen City Heart Study.

The results are as follows:

  • Tennis – adds 9.7 years onto life
  • Badminton – adds 6.2 years onto life
  • Football – adds 4.7 years onto life
  • Cycling – adds on 3.7 years onto life
  • Swimming – adds on 3.4 years onto life
  • Jogging – adds on 3.2 years onto life
  • callisthenics (i.e. gymnastics) – adds on 3.1 years onto life
  • Health club activities – adds on 1.5 years onto life

These conclusions were formulated from the in-depth questionnaires participants filled in.

In addition, information regarding when and how people passed away were also taken into account.

The data was collated between October 1991 to March 2017 to inform these results.

The researchers concluded: “Various sports are associated with markedly different improvements in life expectancy.

“Interestingly, the leisure-time sports that inherently involve more social interaction were associated with the best longevity.”

All of these activities promoted longevity compared to doing no sports at all.

This is likely due to the numerous health benefits associated with exercise.

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The NHS confirmed that exercise is “the miracle cure we’ve all been waiting for”.

Moving your body can reduce the risk of these following condition by 50 percent:

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Cancer

In addition, it can lower your risk of early death by at least 30 percent.

The national health body added: “Whatever your age, there’s strong scientific evidence that being physically active can help you lead a healthier and happier life.”

Research shows exercise can boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy levels.

It can also reduce the risk of stress, depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr Nick Cavill commented: “If exercise were a pill, it would be one of the most cost-effective drugs ever invented.”

Adults should aim to do at least 150 minutes of physical activity weekly, through a variety of activities.

Although, taking leisurely walks every now and again – unfortunately – isn’t going to cut it.

In order to reap the health benefits of moving your body, one needs to raise their heart rate.

This will involve activity that makes you breath that little bit faster and makes you feel warmer.

However, it’s not too strenuous, as you should still be able to talk (although singing would be pushing it).

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