Practicing tennis could potentially add nearly 10 years of healthy life expectancy, which would make it the best sport for longevity.

mixed

This claim is based on a famous observational study, the Copenhagen City Heart Study, published in 2018 in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

noli's read

This claim is based on a famous observational study, the Copenhagen City Heart Study, published in 2018 in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings. The researchers did indeed find that tennis players lived on average 9.7 years longer than sedentary individuals, ahead of those who play badminton or jog. However, as an observational study, it highlights a correlation but cannot prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. This longevity gain is also explained by indirect factors, notably the often higher socioeconomic status of tennis players and the highly social aspect of club sports. Furthermore, the study measured overall life expectancy and not specifically years lived in full health, even though physical activity remains a pillar of well-being.

the sources

1Schnohr P, O'Keefe JH, Holtermann A, et al. 2018

Claimed by Carla Valette. Noli grades the claim, never the person.

Decoded by Noli · July 14, 2026 · the original post

What the graded evidence says

Evidence: C

Linked to, not proven to cause.

Effect: difference in life expectancy by leisure sport vs sedentary reference (observational) — adjusted gains vs sedentary: tennis ~9.7 yr, badminton ~6.2 yr, soccer ~4.7 yr, cycling ~3.7 yr, running ~3.2 yr; single cohort, associational
Measured on: adults in the Copenhagen City Heart Study (single Danish cohort, ~8,500 people)

These are associations from one observational cohort; healthier or more social people may gravitate to these sports. The specific '~10 years from tennis' figure is the top of the range and shouldn't be read as a causal, individual guarantee.

Carla Valette in the Register86 claims graded · solidity 88/100See their record →