Home News and Resources News News 02 Jun, 2026 New Scientist No.3: How much exercise do we need? Emma MacCarthy Loss Prevention Officer Regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to protect long-term health, yet it can be difficult to prioritise at sea or within demanding operational schedules. The evidence is clear, however: even modest amounts of movement make a meaningful difference. Download PDF As outlined in New Scientist: How much exercise do we need?, just 15 minutes of moderate activity per day can reduce the risk of early death by around 10 per cent, with greater benefits seen as activity increases.  For seafarers, exercise does not need to mean structured gym sessions or lengthy workouts. Walking the deck, using stairs instead of lifts, or incorporating short periods of functional movement into daily routines can all contribute towards weekly targets. Importantly, the research shows that activity can be accumulated flexibly, including within condensed periods, which may better align with watch patterns and workload demands. For managers and ship operators, there is a clear opportunity to support crew wellbeing through simple, practical measures. Encouraging a culture where movement is normalised, ensuring safe access to spaces for exercise, and allowing time for short activity breaks can have disproportionate benefits for both health and performance. Ultimately, more activity is generally associated with better outcomes, but consistency matters more than intensity. Even small increases in movement can significantly reduce health risks compared with inactivity. Supporting seafarers to find realistic, sustainable ways to stay active is therefore not just a wellbeing initiative, but a direct investment in safety, resilience and operational effectiveness. Emma MacCarthy. New Scientist Guide No.3 How Much Exercise Do We Need? We have seen that exercise is akin to a wonder drug, and yet around the world, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men don’t d