The relationship between exercise and general health is well established. However, one often-overlooked consequence of musculoskeletal pain is its impact on daily movement and exercise habits. Many people reduce their walking or physical activity out of fear of causing further injury or joint damage. While understandable, this avoidance can be counterproductive, not only slowing recovery but also carrying serious long-term implications for your general health and life expectancy.
A recent study by Veerman et al. (2025) examined adults over 40 in the United States and highlighted the close relationship between physical activity and longevity. The researchers found that older adults and those with chronic conditions or disabilities who were largely sedentary, could increase their life expectancy by up to 10.9 years simply by adding 111 minutes of daily walking totaling 160 minutes/day of walking. Furthermore, engaging in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise combined with two strength-training sessions per week was associated with a 40% reduction in all-cause mortality, meaning participants were 40% less likely to die from any cause during the study period.
If pain or injury is limiting your ability to stay active, it’s important to address it rather than stop moving altogether. Exercise remains one of the most powerful tools for maintaining long-term health. If you’re struggling to meet your activity goals due to pain or injury, reach out to a physiotherapist who can guide you safely back to movement.
Reference
1. Veerman, L., Tarp, J., Wijaya, R., Wanjau, M. N., Möller, H., Haigh, F., Lucas, P., & Milat, A. (2025). Physical activity and life expectancy: A life-table analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 59(5), 333–338. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108125
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