Best Sports for Longevity, Ranked by 25-Year Study
Exercise of almost any kind is linked to a longer life, but what specific form of exercise/sport is the most beneficial? Researchers tracked 8,577 people in Copenhagen for up to 25 years, asking them about their leisure-time physical activity and then comparing how long people who did different sports lived versus people who were sedentary.
The results, compared with sedentary individuals, were as follows:
Activity | Extra Years of Life Expectancy |
Tennis | 9.7 Years |
Badminton | 6.2 Years |
Soccer | 4.7 Years |
Cycling | 3.7 Years |
Swimming | 3.4 Years |
Jogging | 3.2 Years |
Calisthenics | 3.1 Years |
Health Club Activities (Jogging, Lifting Weights, etc.) | 1.5 Years |
As you can see, all activities were linked to longer life than being sedentary. However, the size of the benefit varied enormously, even though time spent exercising didn't differ that dramatically between groups.
Is there something inherently special about racquet sports like tennis or badminton? Probably not if we're being honest. The authors hypothesize that it is the social element of these sports that is most beneficial. These sports along with soccer, which came in third, are not really ones you can play alone.
While people look at the physical demands of each sport (muscles involved, cardio intensity, etc.), they often brush off the intangible benefits. Having meaningful relationships, talking to people, and laughing are a big part of life. There is also the routine of playing at a certain place and a certain time. It gives life purpose, especially as you age.
So while it's tempting to chase the "best" exercise for longevity, the real takeaway may be less about the sport itself and more about what surrounds it. A solo treadmill session burns calories just as effectively, but it doesn't ask you to show up for a doubles partner, celebrate a goal with teammates, or grab a coffee with someone after the match. If the social, emotional, and routine-building aspects of activities like tennis and badminton are truly doing the heavy lifting, then the lesson isn't to switch to tennis; it's to find a form of movement that pulls other people into your life along with it.
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This story was originally published June 26, 2026 at 3:35 PM.