It is enough to put a spring in the step. Older adults need only walk briskly for 15 minutes a day to cut their risk of dying early, a new study has shown.
By Sarah Knapton, Science Editor @Telegraph
Although the NHS currently recommends two and a half hours of moderate exercise a week for pensioners, the latest research suggests doing far less can still bring substantial health benefits.
Just 15 minutes of exercise a day was found to lower the risk of death by 22 per cent over the 12 year study period. Even adults who met recommended guidelines only lowered their change of dying early by 35 per cent.
Other activities which count towards the 15 minute a day goal include weeding the garden, tennis or cycling.
Many people give up on exercising because they feel they will fail to meet guideline targets, but the new study shows even a little goes a long way.
