If you have never exercised in your life, it is not too late to start. Research of 2,205 Swedish men who were studied for more than 20 years showed that if people over 50 start exercising, the beneficial health effects can be seen within 10 years. These effects can lead to a decrease in premature death. This is the first time that research has shown that older people can benefit from increasing their physical activity. Activities can be anything from three hours of sports or heavy gardening each week to taking walks and cycling. After 10 years of exercise, those who began exercising moderately at 50 showed similar death rates to people who exercised heavily more regularly throughout their earlier years.