When we look at the risk factors for living shorter lives, inactivity is right up there with smoking and poor diet. To stay young, we’ve got to keep our whole system in good shape – and exercise is great for that.
But what kind of exercise is best? How often should you hit the gym? And how intense should your workout regime it be?
Dr Norman Swan is one of our most trusted doctors and a much-respected broadcaster and author. His new book So You Want to Live Younger, Longer? explains the effects of exercise on our bodies, and how we can implement the right kind of physical activity in our lives.
Take our quiz and find out more about how to exercise the right way (scroll down for answers).
1. True or false: People who exercise reduce their chances of premature death by up to 34 per cent.
a. True
b. False
2. According to scientific literature, which of the following types of exercise correlates most closely with living longer?
a. Balance and coordination
b. Aerobic and cardiorespiratory exercise
c. Stretching and flexibility
d. Strength and resistance training
3. True or false: The more intense the exercise, the more it lifts your mood and improves your cognitive function.
a. True
b. False
4. Research shows that while cardiovascular exercise is, we should also try to include muscle strengthening into each workout session. Which of the following is a benefit of regular muscle-strengthening exercise?
a. Slowing down the path to frailty
b. Preventing diabetes
c. Increasing vitality
d. All of the above
5. Moderately intense, regular physical activity has been shown to reduce the effects of ageing, improve mental health and prevent disease. What is the recommended exercise strategy as reflected in most national exercise guidelines?
a. Jogging
b. Cycling
c. Swimming
d. Mixing it up
Answers
1. A | 2. B | 3. A | 4. D | 5. D
Questions for your group to discuss this stand-out Australian debut.
A snapshot of just some of all the activity around Australia!
Start reading the new paranormal romance series!
Hachette Australia, with The Realm, presents ENTER THE FANTASY REALM! Join Tigest Girma, Louisa Carmody and Christy Anne Jones in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to talk all things fantasy.
Part confessional, part manifesto, Middle Rage is full of Myf Warhurst's humour, warmth and wisdom, with some tips thrown in to help women live their best middle-aged lives.
Explore our featured reads on the In the Good Books podcast
Read an extract from No One's Looking, a comedic and uplifting novel from bestselling author Brooke Davis. Out October 13 2026!
Our staff share how special Brooke Davis' debut was - we’d love to hear your memories too!
The lovely Brooke, a bookseller herself, checks in with her colleagues across Australia to say a big hello.
Information on Alice Oseman's - author of Heartstopper - trip to Australia and New Zealand.
Dive into this fast-paced, genre-bending debut!
Meet Aussie dark romance author Penny Sunday!
From the bestselling author of Belladonna
Ahead of Eighty-Nine Questions for After, Ashleigh shares her thoughts on why sad books are so important for kids.
Start reading Patricia Cornwell's thrilling memoir
Announcing this year's round of The Richell Prize
Happy Mother's Day!
Read the new book from bestselling author Natasha Lester
Dive into this unforgettable coming-of-age story from a stunning new voice in Australian fiction
We hope these questions help guide your book club discussion for this heartfelt novel. We’ve done our best to avoid spoilers, but don’t read these questions unless you’ve finished Margaret, Are You Leaving? – you don’t want to risk ruining any reveals!
Entertain the kids at home
Antoun Issa powerfully captures his mother's true experiences of love, heartbreak and new hope during the violence of civil war.
The Children's Book Council of Australia's 2026 Notables list has been announced!
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
© Hachette Australia, All Rights Reserved · Site by Chook