According to new research, tennis and other racquet sports are the best exercise for longevity.
Experts reveal why, and how to get started.
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Because there is, and its called exercise.
Trainer and physical therapist
Experts in This Article
Trainer and physical therapist
Okay, dont roll your eyes.
Same goes for regularlyengaging in cardio of any kind2.
Dont have time for that?
Just quick, one-minute bursts of activity cancut your mortality risk by 40 percent.
That is, until recently.
And the results just might surprise you.
Pretty much everyone who worked out had longer lives than folks who were sedentary.
But specific activities had greater lifespan gains than others.
adults over the course of about 12 years.
Trainer and physical therapist
Why are some sports linked with more life-extending benefits than others?
As forwhythese activities confer so many longevity-boosting benefits, experts have a few theories.
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The publishedPhysical Activity Guidelines for Americansrecommends this pop in of multicomponent activity as the most beneficial for adults!
Further, the hand-eye coordination and bursts of energy required in racquet sports likely adds additional life-extending benefits.
My guess is you would say the latter.
Running and racquet sports help manage and maintain more parts simultaneously than other activities.
However, the benefit of these activities isnt just physical.
Its all about finding the right balance!
Further, its more beneficial when done at moderate levels rather than sustained high intensity levels.
(Translation: Ease into any new sport to get the hang of it.)
If those are activities youre interested in, great!
But if not, dont worry about it.
Remember, all exercise (even walking!)
In the wise words of Dr. Kam: Any activity is better than no activity when done appropriately.
Pick one, pick a few and you will see health benefits.
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