Doctors agree that regular exercise and a healthy diet improves quality and longevity of life. But is all exercise created equal? European and Australian researchers find that not all types of physical activity are equal when it comes to longevity.

People who engaged in three types of exercise—racquet sports like tennis or racquet ball, swimming and aerobics—had the lowest risk of dying. people who played racquet sports had a 47% lower risk of dying during the nine-year study than people who didn’t exercise. Swimmers had a 28% lower risk of death and those doing aerobics showed a 27% lower risk of dying. Swimming and racquet sports, on the other hand, inherently require an intense level of exercise.

Cycling also reduces mortality risk, possibly because many people who reported cycling did it recreationally or to get to and from work and were less likely to work up a sweat and have a vigorous workout.

The scientists say the difference may lie in the social aspect which goes alongside sports like tennis and squash, which often involve clubs and organised activities outside of the game. It means that people often have larger social networks and tend to keep up activities into later life, both of which are proven to be good for health.

Swimming was the most popular exercise, with 13.4% of participants reporting they swam. Nearly 15% of women swam, while almost 10% participated in aerobics. Men favored cycling over swimming -- 13% cycled while about 12% swam -- while aerobics was the least popular, participated in by about 2% of men. Aerobics, participated in most by women, slashed heart disease risk by 50% in the female group.

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