Fit for Life

The Importance of Physical Activity for a Long and Healthy Life

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Pioneering gerontologist Dr Robert P the first director of the US National Institute on Ageing, opened his 1977 research paper Exercise, the Neglected Therapy with the following words: "If exercise could be packed in a pill, it would be the single most widely prescribed and beneficial medicine." These words succinctly sum up the importance of physical activity as a form of preventive and remedial health care for the ageing population.

Indeed, data from the World Economic Forum has shown that average global life expectancy has risen from 46 years in 1950 to 72 years in 2022. In order to live a longer life of higher quality, both financial and physical well-being are required. These would involve efforts and contributions from different stakeholders like the government, financial institutions, employers, etc. However, another key factor in living a life of good quality is the upkeeping of one’s health. In this aspect, exercise - in whatever forms - is key.

SEDENTARY VS ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

Being sedentary brings ill effects to one’s health. The WHO (World Health Organisation) reported that 6% of premature mortality is related to physical inactivity; it is also the 4th leading global risk factor for death in middle-to-high-income countries like Singapore (first being high blood pressure, followed by cigarette smoking and then high blood sugar levels). In fact, being unfit is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease as well.