The longitudinal study, which included 10,224 men and 3,120 women, was conducted to determine whether regular physical exercise helps us live longer.
Results published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed that the least fit individuals had a greater risk of early death. Even when all other risks were calculated into the results, such as smoking, high blood pressure and family history of coronary heart disease, the group who exercised had a lower death rate. Men and women with low levels of physical fitness were more than twice as likely to die prematurely as people with moderate physical fitness.
The study defined
