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Study Reveals Athletes' Hearts Beat Less, Live Longer

11/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Professor Andre La Gerche led a study comparing heart activity in 109 athletes and 38 non-athletes.
Athletes averaged 68 beats per minute (bpm), compared with 76 bpm for non-athletes.
The study estimates athletes use about 10% fewer heartbeats daily.
The findings challenge the notion that exercise shortens lifespan by consuming heartbeats and instead link higher fitness to lower resting heart rates and better health outcomes.

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Story summary

Professor Andre La Gerche led a study comparing heart activity in 109 athletes and 38 non-athletes.
Athletes averaged 68 beats per minute (bpm), compared with 76 bpm for non-athletes.
The study estimates athletes use about 10% fewer heartbeats daily.
The findings challenge the notion that exercise shortens lifespan by consuming heartbeats and instead link higher fitness to lower resting heart rates and better health outcomes.