A major study of nearly 96,000 people found that just a few minutes of vigorous physical activity daily can dramatically reduce disease risk. Researchers tracked participants for seven years using wrist accelerometers to measure activity intensity. Those with the highest levels of vigorous activity showed a 63% lower risk of dementia, 60% lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and 46% lower risk of death compared to those doing no vigorous activity. Brief intense bursts like running for a bus or climbing stairs quickly provided significant protection against eight major diseases, especially inflammatory conditions and cardiovascular problems. The study suggests intensity matters more than duration for certain health benefits.
