Getty Images 
 
 Any talk of golf as exercise could make cyclists choke on their energy bars. But a new study suggests that a round of golf can confer longevity benefits just as robust as a 100-mile bike ride. 
 
 The study in the Christmas edition of BMJ—the peer-reviewed publication formerly known as the British Medical Journal—is based on the mortality records of 9,889 athletes who competed in the Olympic Games between 1896 and 1936. "Engaging in cycling and rowing (high cardiovascular intensity) had no added survival benefit compared with playing golf or cricket (low cardiovascular intensity)." 
 
 More Marathon Runners Stop Aging Out of the Race 
 
 The study adds to a small but growing body of research suggesting that years-long doses of extreme exercise—measured by amount or intensity—may be unproductive, if not counterproductive. In general, the research suggests that the well-established longevity benefits of exercise may cease to accrue or may even diminish beyond a point, for instance, 20 miles a week of running. 
 
 "During high intensive exercise the human body has to deal with all kinds of micro traumata. Over time, this will result in an accumulation of damage, which can be explained as a form of aging," said Frouke Engelaer, an author of the study, conducted by a vitality-and-aging department at Leiden University Medical Centre in Leiden, Netherlands. 
 
 This research is too preliminary and controversial to trigger warnings against marathons and triathlons. And by all accounts it shouldn't be used as an excuse for staying sedentary, which poses well-established risks of cardiovascular disease. 
 
 Apart from health, moreover, extreme fitness can induce euphoria. "When I was in my peak Ironman triathlon shape, I felt my absolute best," said John Gamba, who writes a blog called Golfer Turned Triathlete. 
 
 Gamba, 42, doesn't necessarily buy the idea that walking the links is just as good for him as running a half marathon. But his father does. "My dad just came up to me and said some doctor told him that triathlon and other intensive sports aren't good for you," said Gamba. 
 
 Write to Kevin Helliker at kevin.helliker@wsj.com 
 
 Corrections & Amplifications 
 
 The first name of John Gamba was wrongly given as James in an earlier version of this article. ||||| Image copyright Thinkstock 
 
 Short six-second bursts of vigorous exercise have the potential to transform the health of elderly people, say researchers in Scotland. 
 
 A pilot study involving 12 pensioners showed going all-out in very short bursts, reduced blood pressure and improved general fitness over time. 
 
 The team at Abertay University believe it could help avert the "astronomical" costs of ill health in elderly people. 
 
 Experts said the study emphasised the benefits of exercise at any age. 
 
 High Intensity Training (HIT) has attracted a lot of attention for promising some of the same benefits as conventional exercise but in a much shorter time. 
 
 Instead of a comfortable half-hour jog or a few miles on the bike, HIT involves pushing yourself to your limits for a short period of time. 
 
 The team in Scotland say they were conducting the first trials in older people. 
 
 Get a sweat on 
 
 A group of pensioners came into the lab twice a week for six weeks and went hell for leather on an exercise bike for six seconds. 
 
 They would allow their heart rate to recover and then go for it again, eventually building up to one minute of exercise by the end of the trial. 
 
 "They were not exceptionally fast, but for someone of that age they were," researcher Dr John Babraj said. 
 
 The results, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, showed participants had reduced their blood pressure by 9%, increased their ability to get oxygen to their muscles and found day-to-day activities like getting out of a chair or walking the dog easier. 
 
 Image copyright Thinkstock 
 
 Dr Babraj told the BBC the benefits could be huge: "We've got an ageing population and if we don't encourage them to be active, the economic burden of that is going to be astronomical. 
 
 "A lot of diseases are associated with sedentary behaviour - like cardiovascular disease and diabetes - but if we can keep people active and functioning then we can reduce the risk. 
 
 "Also on the social side, they are less likely to be socially active and will interact with people more." 
 
 More than 10 million people in the UK are over 65 and that figure is set to rise. 
 
 Dr Babraj says older people struggle to exercise as many are full-time carers, but argues High Intensity Training would be easier to fit in. 
 
 He said people could try it at home, but should see their doctor first to ensure there were no underlying health issues. 
 
 "Then the easiest way to do it yourself is to run up a hill, the steeper the hill, the harder it's going to be, give it everything you've got for six seconds." 
 
 Image copyright Thinkstock 
 
 Safe? 
 
 There is an argument that short and strenuous exercise may be safer than conventional exercise. 
 
 A higher heart rate and blood pressure caused by exercise can be a trigger for heart attacks and stroke. 
 
 Dr Babraj said running for a long time "puts a greater strain on the heart overall" even if it is worked harder in the short-term in High Intensity Training. 
 
 Larger trials are now planned. 
 
 Dr Adam Gordon, a consultant and honorary secretary of the British Geriatrics Society, told the BBC: "This is a brilliant, fantastic piece of work challenging assumptions about what the right type of exercise is in old age, but I'd encourage them to investigate the benefits in even older and even more frail people. 
 
 "The broad message is that you're never too old, too frail, too ill to benefit from exercise, as long as it's carefully chosen. 
 
 "We know even into your 80s and 90s there's a benefit from developing a very slight sweat by exercising on multiple occasions per week."
– Golf may be "a good walk, spoiled," but at least it doesn't spoil your life expectancy. In fact, a new study finds that heavy cardio sports like cycling and rowing do nothing to help you live longer than playing golf or cricket, reports the Wall Street Journal. Researchers looked at mortality rates in 9,889 Olympic athletes who completed from 1896 to 1936 in 43 types of sports, and surprisingly found that those who competed in intense activities did not live any longer than those who curled, shot guns, played cricket, or golfed. "Engaging in cycling and rowing (high cardiovascular intensity) had no added survival benefit compared with playing golf or cricket (low cardiovascular intensity)," says the study. One theory is that intensive exercise over the long-term also leads to injuries and damage that balance out the benefits of such exercise. "Over time, this will result in an accumulation of damage, which can be explained as a form of aging," says a study author. You can read the original BMJ article here.