Engaging in leisure time physical activity is a key lifestyle recommendation for improving health. Long-term physical activity is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases, better mental health, and improved longevity. Emerging evidence suggests that different types of physical activity may have distinct physiological effects on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, metabolic profile, and bone strength.

However, the long-term survival benefits of engaging in different types of physical activities have not been extensively studied. In particular, the additional benefit of physical activity variety beyond total activity amount remains unclear.

A recent study published in BMJ Medicine demonstrated that while most individual physical activities were associated with lower mortality, engaging in higher varieties of physical activities was associated with a 19% lower all-cause mortality and significant decrease (13–41%) in mortality related to cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disorders, and other causes, and this benefit was independent of total physical activity levels. Long-term involvement in multiple types of physical activity may help in extending the lifespan (See graphic).