1 in 12 deaths are preventable with 30 mins physical activity

Completing 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week (150 mins a week) is associated with a reduced risk of death and cardiovascular disease, according to the largest study of physical activity tracking 130,000 people in 17 countries published in The Lancet.

Being highly active (750 mins a week) is associated with an even greater reduction, and the authors found that this was more achievable for those who built physical activity into their day through active transport, job type, or housework.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend that adults aged 18-64 years old do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week, as well as muscle strengthening exercises at least two days a week.

Overall, the more activity a person did the lower their risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease – with the study finding no ceiling effect on the association, and no risks associated with extremely high levels of physical activity (more than 2500 minutes per week, up to 17 times the physical activity guideline).