Camilla Jessen
No gym required.
A new study from the University of Sydney suggests that less than one minute of physical effort per day could reduce your risk of premature death by up to 38 percent.
Published on the preprint server medRxiv, the study tracked thousands of participants over several years, examining how brief, unplanned bursts of movement affected long-term health outcomes.
The researchers found that the greatest benefits were seen among those who moved the least, yet still managed to incorporate short, energetic motions into their everyday routines.
These weren’t structured workouts but quick, spontaneous movements — such as climbing stairs briskly, carrying groceries, or rushing to catch a bus.
Even ten-second spurts of effort, when repeated several times a day, led to meaningful improvements in circulation, metabolism, and overall health.
Natural exercise, real results
Lead researcher Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis explains that these brief moments act like natural high-intensity interval training (HIIT) — delivering powerful effects without equipment, schedules, or gym memberships.
“This form of movement can easily be built into daily life,” said Stamatakis.
“You don’t need to change your routine — just take advantage of opportunities to move with intensity.”
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, who may have used AI in the preparation
