Leisure Time Physical Activity and the 16-Year Risks of Mortality from Coronary Heart Disease and All-Causes in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT)

Purpose: To examine the long-term association of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and risk of death from coronary heart disease (CHD) and all-causes. Methods: Data are from a prospective study of 12138 middle-aged men at high risk for CHD participating in the MRFIT. Men were classified into deciles based on average min/d of LTPA reported at baseline, which were compared with cumulative CHD and all-cause mortality endpoints at the 16-year follow-up. Results: Men in the least-active decile of LTPA who averaged 4.9 min/d of LTPA (range 0 to 9 min/d) had excess age-adjusted mortality rates of 29 % and 22 % for CHD and all-causes, respectively, as compared to those in combined deciles 2 to 4, who averaged 22.7 min/d of predominantly light and moderate LTPA (range 10 - 36 min/d). No further decrement in mortality rates was noted in those in the higher declines of LTPA. These associations remained significant (P < 0.05) after proportional hazards adjustments for additional possible confounding variables. Conclusion: These data suggest that a relatively small amount (10 to 36 min/d) of daily moderate intensity LTPA can significantly reduce premature mortality, particularly from CHD, in middle-ged and older men at high risk for CHD.

Key words

Physical activity - mortality risk