Scientists from the London School of Economics, together with experts from the British insurance company Vitality, found that taking at least five thousand steps three times a week can increase life expectancy by two and a half years for men and three years for women. Research results published In The Lancet.
In the study, scientists examined the physical activity levels of more than a million people over the last 10 years, creating a map of the movement habits of people in the United Kingdom and South Africa. According to the data shown on the map, 35% of Britons are classed as inactive people. Scientists stated that a passive lifestyle can cause cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes and cancer.
Researchers have calculated that increasing the mobility of physically inactive citizens to five thousand steps per week could potentially save the UK National Health Service four billion pounds (more than 465 billion rubles) annually due to a reduction in the number of hospital admissions.
If sedentary people started walking five thousand steps three times a week, estimated savings could rise to £15bn.
The researchers also concluded that taking 15,000 steps a week could increase life expectancy by two and a half years for men and three years for women. This positive effect is associated with a decrease in the rate of development of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular and mental diseases due to increased physical fitness.
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