Regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to lengthen your life. Research consistently shows that physical activity is linked to lower risk of cancer, depression, dementia, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Health Canada guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week. Each week should include two days of muscle-strengthening activities. Even four to five minutes of vigorous physical activity every day has been linked to longevity benefits.
For years we associated longevity with grueling runs or endless hours in the gym. While staying active is vital, playing sports adds a social aspect and extra cognitive demands to exercising. And research suggests that some sports may offer a bigger longevity boost than others.
A study from Denmark found that, when compared to various sports, tennis emerged as the clear leader in increasing life expectancy – potentially adding nearly a decade to participants’ lives compared to sedentary individuals.
Similar research from the United Kingdom and the United States followed people for about a decade and found that playing a racquet sport was linked to a lower risk of death during the follow-up period than any other form of sport of exercise followed.
The secret lies in its unique combination of benefits. Tennis isn’t just cardio; it’s “full-body longevity training” combining high-interval sprints and endurance. Players alternate between intense bursts of movement and brief periods of recovery — a structure that mimics interval training and can efficiently improve your fitness.
The game also demands quick changes in direction forcing your brain to perform complex neuro-cognitive tasks in milliseconds. This can help improve essential balance and reduce a person’s risk of falls.
Furthermore, research suggests that playing regularly can also improve bone density, strengthening the body against fractures, he added.
Beyond the physical effort, the sport also provides built-in social connection that combats loneliness. It’s a game that keeps your heart, brain and social life thriving simultaneously!
If you have any questions about the health or alignment of your spine or that of your loved ones, Dr. Erin McLaughlin and Dr. Pierre Paradis are here to help. If you live or work in Kanata and the surrounding area, contact us today or give us a call at (613) 831-9665.