Key points from article :
A recent study claimed that physical activity does not reduce mortality, sparking eye-catching headlines. However, this conclusion is flawed due to significant issues in data collection and analysis. The study followed same-sex twins in Finland from 1975 to 2020, assessing their leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) through questionnaires. Initial findings suggested a correlation between higher activity levels and lower mortality, but once adjusted for factors like smoking and BMI, the results were less convincing.
The study relied heavily on self-reported data from decades before the follow-up, a method prone to inaccuracies. Moreover, it excluded participants with certain health conditions, creating a biased sample. The analysis was weak, and the exclusion of participants with pre-existing conditions further skewed the results, making the conclusions unreliable.
This research was released as a preprint, meaning it hasn’t undergone peer review. While preprints can be useful for quick dissemination, they also risk spreading unvetted information. The study's click-bait appeal doesn't challenge the overwhelming evidence that exercise is beneficial for health and longevity, and its findings should be taken with caution.
