Finnish research finds adulthood exercise does not extend lifespan

A latest research conducted by the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland found that physical activity in adulthood does not increase lifespan for humans or laboratory animals.

Many previous studies showed that regular exercises enhance people's health, physical fitness and physical function, and therefore extend lifespan.

However, the new Finnish research, which is published in the latest issue of Scientific Reports, manifested that lifespan is primarily affected by genetic factors rather than exercise levels.

In the animal study, there were two groups of rats: one half of them had a possibility to voluntarily run from adulthood for the duration of their lifespan, while the other half lived in standard cages.

The result showed that physical activity started at adulthood did not increase lifespan in rats. Rats in the voluntary running group had actually 16 percent of shorter lifespan compared to the corresponding sedentary controls.

In humans, the study was based on data from Finland's twin study, which is a follow-up study starting from 1974. Researchers compare subjects with the same genetic background but different lifestyles and environmental factors.

In pairwise analyses comparing physically active members of a twin pair with their inactive co-twin, there was no difference found in lifespan.

The research concluded that physical activity in adulthood did not increase lifespan neither in animals nor in human twins. Genetic factors affected aerobic capacity, and therefore more important in determining lifespan.

According to the researchers, genetic factors might partly explain the frequently observed associations between high physical activity level and later reduced mortality in humans.

The study, however, did not investigate the association between physical activity in childhood and lifespan. Endit