A growing body of research conducted across Norway, Sweden, the United States, and the United Kingdom suggests that brief increases in daily physical activity may substantially reduce mortality risk. The findings reinforce the importance of addressing physical inactivity as a major global public health concern.
Physical inactivity is estimated to contribute to between 7% and 9% of deaths worldwide, according to international health analyses. Experts increasingly emphasise that even modest adjustments in daily routines, particularly those involving movement and reduced sedentary behaviour, may deliver measurable benefits in longevity and overall population health.
International Study Highlights Preventative Potential
A major investigation led by researchers at the Oslo Research Centre for Physical Activity and Population Health in Norway sought to quantify how small increases in physical activity could influence mortality rates. The study examined the potential reduction in deaths associated with adding between five and ten minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day, alongside decreasing sedentary time by approximately 30 to 60 minutes daily.
The research combined data from prospective cohort studies conducted in Norway, Sweden, and the United States, involving more than 40,000 individuals aged over 40 years. Participants who died within the first two years of observation were excluded to improve data reliability. Importantly, researchers utilised accelerometers to record physical activity, a method widely recognised in scientific literature for providing more accurate behavioural measurements than self-reported activity levels.
To further validate the findings, the research incorporated additional data from the UK Biobank in the United Kingdom, which included information from over 94,000 participants. This allowed investigators to examine whether results observed in Nordic and American populations were applicable to broader demographic groups.
Small Activity Gains, Significant Health Benefits
The analysis indicated that introducing just five minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise each day could prevent up to 6% of deaths in populations with lower baseline activity levels. In broader population analyses, this increase in activity was associated with an estimated 10% reduction in mortality risk. These results highlight the considerable public health impact of relatively small behavioural adjustments.
Reducing sedentary time also demonstrated beneficial effects, although to a lesser extent. Cutting daily sedentary behaviour by 30 minutes was associated with mortality reductions of approximately 3% in higher-risk groups and more than 7% in wider population scenarios. Findings from the UK Biobank in the United Kingdom showed comparable patterns, although the magnitude of the effect was slightly smaller.
Scientific Context and Public Health Implications
Existing epidemiological studies have consistently linked moderate to vigorous physical activity with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and premature death. The World Health Organization and other global health bodies have long recommended regular physical activity as a core component of disease prevention strategies. The present findings provide additional evidence supporting the effectiveness of incremental activity increases, particularly when measured through objective monitoring technologies.
Researchers emphasise that the accessibility of these interventions is particularly noteworthy. Unlike intensive fitness programmes, the suggested increases in activity could be achieved through everyday actions such as brisk walking, climbing stairs, or engaging in short bouts of active movement throughout the day.
Addressing Sedentary Lifestyles in Modern Societies
Sedentary behaviour has become increasingly prevalent in many countries, including Norway, Sweden, the United States, and the United Kingdom, largely due to occupational and technological changes. Public health specialists warn that prolonged sitting is independently associated with negative health outcomes, even among individuals who meet recommended exercise targets.
The study suggests that combining reductions in sedentary time with small increases in physical activity may offer a practical and scalable strategy to improve health outcomes across diverse populations.
Future Directions in Preventative Health Strategies
Researchers involved in the multinational study stress the importance of incorporating precise measurement tools, such as wearable activity trackers, into future public health monitoring. Accurate data collection enables more reliable assessment of behavioural patterns and supports the development of targeted interventions.
Overall, the evidence indicates that modest, achievable changes in daily physical behaviour may play a critical role in reducing premature mortality. As healthcare systems in Norway, Sweden, the United States, and the United Kingdom continue to prioritise preventative care, promoting short and manageable increases in physical activity could represent a cost-effective strategy for improving long-term public health outcomes.