Want to add a few years to your lifespan? Stay active. According to a recently released medical study, physically active people are likely to live several years longer than inactive ones.

 

Highlights of the study include black women, who get the biggest boost with at least 2.5 hours of moderate activity a week—an extra 6 years of lifespan. In fact, that’s an 11-hour gain for every hour of exercise, according to the report.

 

White women who were active at age 20 gained an extra 3 years versus inactive women of the same age. And white men who were active at age 20 gained an extra 2.5 years versus inactive men of the same age.

 

Active 80-year-old white men and women can both boost their lifespans by 1.2 and 1.6 years, respectively.