Study finds daily movement is a stronger predictor of longevity than age

A new study from researchers at the University of Colorado and Johns Hopkins University shows that daily physical activity is a stronger predictor of longevity than age or common health markers like diabetes and heart disease. The study analyzed data from 3,600 participants aged 50 to 80, using wrist-worn accelerometers for accurate movement tracking. The findings highlight that how much and how vigorously people move is crucial for predicting lifespan. This contrasts with previous reliance on traditional health metrics, emphasizing the importance of regular physical activity over other factors. Wearable fitness trackers, such as Apple Watches and Fitbits, may help individuals monitor their activity levels. However, the study notes that the proprietary activity scores from these devices may not directly reflect the same predictive value as the raw data used in the research.