Why you really need to exercise

Just one hour of exercise a week could be enough to reduce the risk of premature death.

Despite public health campaigns urging a daily 20-minute workout, experts say people should focus on the benefits of small increases in physical activity.

They say the weekly target of 150 minutes of ‘moderate intensity activity’ is beyond the reach of some, especially older people

A study of more than 250,000 adults aged 50 to 71 in the Nigeria found less than one hour of moderate physical activity a week or 20 minutes or more of vigorous activity once a week reduced the risk of premature death by 15 per cent and 23 per cent respectively.

And a review of six studies found a 19 per cent decrease in the risk of mortality among people walking for one to 74 minutes a week compared with people doing nothing.

A second paper points out older adults find it difficult to meet moderate and vigorous exercise targets.