Physical activity

Suggested

3 studies · 1 recommendation

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Suggested3 studies

Regular physical activity extends disease-free years and improves diabetes management outcomes

Three studies spanning cohort and health economic analyses collectively demonstrate physical activity's protective role against Type 2 Diabetes progression and its complications. A Japanese cohort of 3,180 elderly residents followed over 12.8 years confirmed exercise therapy as fundamental to managing health outcomes in diabetic patients, with diabetes significantly impacting life expectancy. European multicohort data from England, Finland, France, and Sweden showed individuals without risk factors like physical inactivity lived an average of 6 years longer free of chronic diseases including diabetes, with even single-factor inactivity independently reducing disease-free years. UK population-level analysis quantified the burden: physical inactivity contributed to £1.06 billion in direct healthcare costs across inactivity-related diseases, with only 33% of men and 25% of women meeting activity recommendations. Physical inactivity accounted for 3% of disability-adjusted life years lost nationally.

Evidence

A survey of the food and exercise habits and medication use of elderly people with diabetes mellitus in a rural area of Japan – second report

Authors: 38, 40, 43, KATO, Tadahiro, TANAKA, Yoko, YAMAUCHI, Kanako

Published: March 18, 2019

A cohort study of 3180 residents aged 60 years or older examined the correlation between diabetes mellitus and exercise habits including walking, vigorous exercise, and sporting activity using Chi-square tests. Follow-up extended up to 4669 days (approximately 12.8 years). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated that diabetes had a statistically significant impact on life expectancy in this elderly population. The study emphasized the fundamental role of exercise therapy in managing health outcomes for elderly diabetic patients.

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Smoking, physical inactivity and obesity as predictors of healthy and disease-free life expectancy between ages 50 and 75 : a multicohort study

Authors: Aalto, Ville, Goldberg, Marcel, Hanson, Linda Magnuson, Head, Jenny, Kawachi, Ichiro, Kivimaki, Mika, Stenholm, Sari, Vahtera, Jussi, Westerlund, Hugo, Zaninotto, Paola, Zins, Marie

Published: August 1, 2016

Four European cohort studies from England, Finland, France, and Sweden used multistate life table models to estimate chronic disease-free life expectancy between ages 50 and 75. Diabetes was one of four chronic diseases tracked alongside cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory disease. Physical inactivity, along with smoking and obesity (BMI >= 30 kg/m²), was examined as a modifiable risk factor. Participants with no risk factors lived an average of 6 years longer free of chronic diseases compared to those with two or more risk factors. Even a single risk factor such as physical inactivity was independently associated with reduced disease-free years. Results were consistent across all four cohorts and both sexes.

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The burden of physical activity-related ill health in the UK

Authors: Allender, Steven, Foster, Charles, Rayner, Mike, Scarborough, Peter

Published: April 1, 2007

A UK health economic evaluation using WHO global burden of disease methodology identified diabetes mellitus as one of five diseases with morbidity and mortality directly attributable to physical inactivity. Population attributable fractions for each disease were applied to national cost data. Total direct NHS costs attributable to physical inactivity across all five conditions reached £1.06 billion, with physical inactivity responsible for 3% of disability adjusted life years lost in the UK in 2002. At the time of analysis, only 33% of men and 25% of women were meeting government physical activity recommendations.

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