Researchers in Taiwan have found that exercising for as little as 15 minutes per day, can increase life expectancy by three years.
A total of 416 000 individuals took part in the study between 1996 and 2008. They were categorised into five bands according to their activity levels: inactive, or low, medium, high, very high activity. Compared to the inactive group, those in the low activity group (15 minutes exercise per day) showed 14% reduced mortality and a three year longer life expectancy. Every additional 15 minutes exercise per day, was associated with a further 4% reduction in mortality and a 1% reduction in cancer.
(Minimum Amount of Physical Activity for Reduced Mortality and Extended Life Expectancy: A Prospective Cohort Study. The Lancet, online pub, 16 August 2011.)