People who swim or play racket sports live longer than those who do cycling, a renowned neuroscientist has concluded.

We are all aware that regular exercise is vital for maintaining good health, contributing to physical fitness and boosting mental health. Dr Daniel Amen, 70, has now gone one step further by examining the long-term health effects of specific sports.

A team of researchers from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow have examined the link between a widespread pool of Scottish and English people, playing a range of six different sports, with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality risk.

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The study, which followed the lives of 80,306 adults for over a decade, considered physical activity level, demographic factors, health conditions (previous illnesses, diabetes or respiratory problems) and lifestyle.

Researchers observed a significant reduction in mortality in swimming, racket sports and aerobics. However, No significant reductions in all-cause mortality were observed for participation in cycling, football or running.

Furthermore, it was seen that the practice of racket sports (Badminton, tennis and squash) was associated with a 47% reduction in death from any cause, compared to those who did not practice these activities.

Dr Amen, one of the most influential specialists in the field of brain health, said regarding swimmers and racket sport enthusiasts: “They live longer than everyone else because what coordination does is that it activates your cerebellum, 10% of the brain volume in the back, and it is half of the neurons in the brain. If you activate that, you turn on the rest of your brain.”

One of the study's hypotheses was that racket sports encourage greater adherence to physical exercise, which has a positive impact on the health and mood of people who practice them. These findings suggest that regular practice of certain sports, such as swimming and racket sports, may be associated with a lower likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.

It is also crucial to recognise that the key is to choose a sport that motivates us and that we can incorporate into our lifestyle on a consistent basis, only then can we maximise the health benefits, activating more areas of the brain and ensuring a longer, healthier life.