For example, an extra 10 minutes a day was associated with a 15 percent lower risk of death among those who spent fewer than 10.5 sedentary hours, and a 35 percent lower risk among those who spent more than 10.5 sedentary hours each day.
Light-intensity physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of death only in highly sedentary people (12+ daily hours).
This is an observational study, and thus, cannot establish cause and effect. And the researchers acknowledge that they weren’t able to replicate measures of physical activity and sedentary hours, so any changes over time were stymied.
Potential influencing factors such as diet, mobility issues and general health were also not taken into account. And activity trackers cannot accurately classify all activity types and their corresponding intensities – for example cycling, resistance exercise, gardening.
Nevertheless, the researchers concluded: “Small amounts of MVPA [moderate to vigorous physical activity] High sedentary time may be an effective strategy to reduce mortality risk, where accumulating more than 22 minutes of MVPA eliminates the risk of high sedentary time.
“Efforts to promote physical activity may have substantial health benefits for individuals.”