Study Finds Cycling Fast 'Can Extend Your Life by 5 Years'

Those who take vigorous cycling lived up to five years longer than those who cycled at a slower pace - and the speed was more important than the duration, says a new study. The study conducted among cyclists in Copenhagen, Denmark1 showed that higher intensities of cycling lower mortality rates.

It concluded that men with fast intensity cycling survived 5.3 years longer, and men with average intensity 2.9 years longer than men with slow cycling intensity. For women the figures were 3.9 and 2.2 years longer, respectively.

Current recommendations have prescribed that every adult should accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity in leisure time, preferably every day of the week.

According to Prof Schnor, "this study suggests that a greater part of the daily physical activity in leisure time should be vigorous, based on the individuals own perception of intensity."

The study has been presented at the ESC Congress 2011.

Source-ANI