Which sports best affect your health?

Millions of people around the world, including about 60% of Americans, Australians and Europeans, regularly go in for sports. The 2015 review provided data on the long-term health benefits of specific sports disciplines, but the new study has evidence that some common sports are associated with a significant reduction in the risk of premature death.

How does low physical activity affect the human body?

It is believed that inadequate physical activity causes more than 5 million premature deaths per year. In order to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, cancer and a number of other chronic diseases, the World Health Organization recommends adults and the elderly at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

These estimates and recommendations are predominantly based on studies of the results of people's participation in any moderate or high intensity physical activity. But does this mean that for our health there is a difference in what kind of sport we choose?

What is of interest to researchers?

In recent years there has been an increase in the interest of researchers as to specific factors (for example, work, transportation, domestic and leisure time), and to various types of physical activity (walking, cycling) that affect our health. While, for example, walking and cycling have been associated with a reduction in the risk of premature death, physical activity in the areas of leisure and daily life seems to be more beneficial than professional and transport-related activities.

What kinds of sports are good for your health?

Adult people who take an active part in sports, by 34% reduce the risk of early death, compared with those who never do it or are very rarely involved in sports. These general data, however, do not mean that all sports have the same effect on health.

In the 2015 survey, which we mentioned earlier, there are generalized data on the health benefits of participating in 26 sports disciplines. Conditional moderately convincing evidence was found that running and football improve heart function, aerobic capacity, metabolism, balance and body weight. Football additionally showed a benefit for muscle performance. Evidence for other sports was small, or they proved to be contradictory.

How useful are the most common sports disciplines?

To confirm the evidence of the health benefits of the six common sports disciplines - aerobics, cycling, football, tennis, running and swimming - the researchers analyzed the data of 80 306 adult Britons. The study showed 27%, 15%, 47% and 28% reduction in the risk of premature death for people involved in aerobics, cycling, tennis and swimming, respectively.

Although earlier scientists observed a reduction in the risk of early death associated with football and jogging (18% and 13%, respectively), the data of the new study do not allow conclusions about these effects among the entire population. Nevertheless, such data should not be misinterpreted as "evidence of a lack of effect" or evidence that such an effect is minimal. Scientists simply do not know whether the observed effects occurred by chance and were characteristic of people participating in the study, or they would be fair for the entire population.

Previous studies conducted among Americans, Chinese and Danes showed a significant reduction in the risk of early death (27-40%) associated with running. A review of 2015 revealed a number of health benefits related to football.

Do you have to go in for sports at all?

The annual level of injuries among professional athletes and amateurs is about 6%, but the incidence, types and severity of injuries vary significantly depending on the sports. Fortunately, experts believe that about 50% of sports injuries can be prevented. The risk can be minimized by following the recommendations of trainers and doctors, and even paying attention to minor injuries, since without the necessary treatment they can turn into a serious problem.

More than 50 years ago, Winston Churchill was asked to reveal his secret of longevity. "Sport," he said. "I've never done sports in my life."

Should we follow Sir Winston's example, or should we act according to the latest research showing the health benefits of sport? Although the possibility of a sports injury or other negative health effects associated with sports (for example, sudden death during exercise) can never be ruled out, the potential benefits from it significantly outweigh the risks.

Which sport to choose?

It may take several decades for scientists to reach certain conclusions about the health benefits of all sports. Do you want to sit in front of the TV all the time and wait for the researchers to announce the final results? No. Watch your own preferences and choose affordable sports activities that you like, and try to minimize the risk of injury.

This will increase the likelihood that you will not lose motivation and will engage long enough to obtain significant health benefits.