INDIANAPOLIS -- Playing racket sports like tennis, badminton and even ping-pong can help extend your life, according to a new study.
The study, which was published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine, used data from 80,000 people living in England and Scotland over a 15-year period. The researchers behind the study say the results prove that it not only matters how much and how often you exercise, but also what type of exercise you do.
The study shows that people who play racket sports had a 56 percent lower risk of death from heart disease.
Despite the results, at least one doctor in central Indiana is a little skeptical. Dr. Richard Kovacs, a cardiologist at IU Health, recommends you do something to get your heart rate pumping to stay healthy.
"Well it's active but the level of activity, that's the important take home with this," Kovacs said. "It confirms what's been looked at in a lot of other studies -- that it's not only that you do something but it's the intensity."
Doctors say you should aim for 40 minutes of exercise that gets your heart rate up at least four times per week.
