Researchers point out that one in ten early deaths could be prevented if everyone could do at least half the recommended amount of physical activity.

The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, argues that 11 minutes a day, i.e. 75 minutes a week, of moderate to intense physical activity, such as a fast walk, is enough to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke or various types of cancer.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world, leading to 17.9 million deaths in 2019, while cancers caused the deaths of 9.6 million deaths in 2017, researchers stress.

According to the study, physical activity, particularly moderate intensity, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, and the British public health system (NHS) recommends that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week.

To explore the amount of activity needed to have a beneficial impact on the prevention of chronic disease or premature death, researchers at the University of Cambridge analysed data.

Scientists evaluated 196 peer-reviewed articles, covering more than 30 million participants from 94 major studies, to gather data on associations between activity levels and the risk of coronary heart disease, cancer, and premature death.


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With 75 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity, the risk of premature death was reduced by 23%.

"Doing some physical activity is better than none. If you consider it feasible to do 75 minutes a week, you can try to gradually intensify to the recommended total amount," said Soren Brage, one of the study's authors.

The same 75 minutes per week of moderate activity are also enough to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 17% and cancer by 7%, according to the study.

On the other hand, James Woodcock, who also participated in the research, added that the study concluded: "that there are substantial benefits to coronary health and that they reduce the risk of cancer even if it is only 10 minutes a day."