Research revealed beneficial effect of Specific Sports for Longevity and Heart Health

A research article published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine has provided valuable insights into how different sports can impact long-term health and the risk of mortality. Dr. Pekka Oja and colleagues researched the health aspects of six popular sports or forms of exercise in a study of over 80,000 British adults. The sports in question were swimming, racquet sports (i.e., badminton/tennis/squash), aerobics (i.e., gymnastics/dance), cycling, football/rugby, and running/jogging.

The research found that participation in some sports significantly lowered the risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. In particular, cycling, swimming, racquet sports, and aerobics showed low all-cause mortality rates. Swimming, racquet sports, and aerobics further reduced the rate of death by CVD. However, no significant effect on these outcomes was seen for football and running.

The study included a large cohort of individuals from Scotland and England with an average age of 52 years. The most significant decrease in the risk of all-cause mortality was noted by those playing racquet sports, who had a 47% lower risk, followed by swimming and aerobics. The research leader, Dr Oja, said: "Our findings underscore the importance of promoting participation in specific sports that have demonstrated significant health benefits. Activities like swimming, racquet sports, and aerobics are not only enjoyable but can also extend life expectancy and improve heart health."

Diverse physical activities must be included in the suggestions made by the public health domains; the reason is evident from the results regarding heart health. Dr. Oja added, "While football and running are popular and have their merits, our study indicates that neither contributes greatly to reducing the risk of death for our participants and does not contribute significantly to public health compared with other sports. This would seem to raise the possibility of a bit more tailored advice from public health."

These findings show that certain sports can play an essential role in the public's health and life span. The scientists thus advocate for more research to be conducted. Further studies can improve understanding of how varied sporting activities influence overall health. The general public can benefit from this knowledge.

Here at Pristine’s, we care about your health. Therefore, Pristine’s recommends that you consult with your doctor before embarking on any significant alterations in your eating habits, nutritional supplement intake, or exercise routine. Our blogs are not able, nor intended, to substitute for professional, personalized medical advice. We ask that you discuss any points of interest raised in these blogs with a trusted medical professional.

We wish you optimal longevity and health.

 

 

Reference: 

Oja, P., Kelly, P., Pedisic, Z., Titze, S., Bauman, A., Foster, C., Hamer, M., Hillsdon, M., & Stamatakis, E. (2017). Associations of specific types of sports and exercise with all-cause and cardiovascular-disease mortality: a cohort study of 80 306 British adults. British journal of sports medicine, 51(10), 812–817.