Exercising for 30 minutes a day could reduce the risk of death in older men by 40 per cent

The British Journal of Sports Medicine has published research conducted by Oslo University Hospital that indicates 30 minutes of regular exercise could be as beneficial to health as quitting smoking.

The report suggests that doing half an hour of exercise at any intensity; six days a week could reduce the risk of death in older men by 40 per cent.

The release of the study coincides with The British Heart Foundation (BHF) revealing that British people are less likely to participate in physical activity than those in other parts of Europe.

In the BHF report, the UK ranked 16th out of 28 EU countries with less than 50 per cent of adults doing a moderate level of physical activity compared to just 14 per cent in the Netherlands and 23 per cent in Denmark and Finland.

Speaking about the BHF study, director of prevention, survival and support at the BHF, Catherine Kelly, said: "Today’s figures are a worrying indication of the overall picture of our nation’s heart health. Alongside funding research into improving outcomes for heart patients, we need to create environments that make it easier for people to better understand and cut their risk of heart disease.

"BHF research has shown that even making small, more active changes to your daily routine can improve your heart health. With the warmer nights and lighter evenings, the summer is the perfect opportunity for people to start to make these changes."

The charity reports the financial cost of the lack of physical activity by people in the UK as an estimated £542 million each year.

The researched carried out by Oslo University Hospital surveyed 26,000 men born between 1923 and 1932 who participated in a health check during 1972–3 in Oslo. More than 15,000 had their blood pressure, cholesterol, height, weight checked and were asked if they smoked. Participants also completed a questionnaire on the amount of time they spent doing physical activity during their free time.

Men who took part in the study were grouped in five categories depending on how active they were; sedentary, light, moderate, heavy and vigorous.

In 2000, 6,000 surviving men were monitored again and over the following 12 years to check whether their physical activity levels were associated with a lowered risk of death from cardiovascular diseases, or any cause, and if its impact was equivalent to quitting smoking.

Of 5,738 men who were monitored until 2012, 2,154 died. The study revealed that more than one hours’ worth of exercise per week could result in up to a 56 per cent reduced risk of death, the longer time spent doing vigorous exercise, the lower the risk.

Men, who regularly did moderate to vigorous exercise or activity during their spare time, lived on average five years longer than those who were categorised as living a sedentary lifestyle.

Researchers noted the significant difference in risk of death in participants both active and inactive, regardless of their varying ages, highlighting the benefits of older men becoming and remaining physically active.