Most doctors will recommend exercise as a means to a healthy body and longevity, but a new study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology reveals it’s not the only factor.

The investigation into the long-term effects of leisure-time physical activity on mortality and biological aging revealed that mortality risks of the physically active were only slightly lower than those of sedentary individuals.

Researchers analyzed data from the Finnish Twin Cohort tracking physical activity levels over five years and mortality outcomes over 30 years.

Though the study revealed that the mortality rate was only slightly lower between active and inactive participants, this gap extended once lifestyle and genetics were factored in.

Another notable outcome indicates highly active and sedentary people showed accelerated signs of aging, as opposed to those who exercised moderately.

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