journal · Public research summary
Leisure time physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity and mortality: a large pooled cohort analysis
Compared with no leisure-time activity, 300–449 brisk-walking-equivalent minutes/week was associated with 4.2 more years (95% CI 4.0–4.5); 150–299 minutes with 3.4 (3.2–3.6).
Educational only. Associations do not establish individual risk or diagnosis. Read the original sources and limitations. Editorial review: 2026-10-06.
Citation
Moore SC et al. · PLOS Medicine · 2012 · DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001335
Study design
Pooled prospective cohorts
Population
654,827 adults in six US/Swedish cohorts; life-expectancy estimates for age 40+.
Measured outcome
Estimated remaining life expectancy
Finding
Compared with no leisure-time activity, 300–449 brisk-walking-equivalent minutes/week was associated with 4.2 more years (95% CI 4.0–4.5); 150–299 minutes with 3.4 (3.2–3.6).
Limitations
Self-reported activity, residual confounding and selection limit causal interpretation. These are population associations, not years earned by following a schedule.
Habit topics
Move through the week
Interpretation
Research comparisons are not personal lifespan predictions. Years from different studies, habits, populations and outcomes cannot be added. Supporting studies do not validate the numeric estimate of another study.