Leisure-time physical activities and the risk of cardiovascular mortality in the Malmö diet and Cancer study
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Background: The association between leisure-time physical activity and cardiovascular mortality has been previously studied, but few studies have focused on specific activities and intensities. Methods: The association between different leisure-time physical activities and cardiovascular mortality was investigated among 25,876 individuals without diabetes or cardiovascular disease from the population-based Malmö Diet and Cancer Study cohort. The individuals estimated the average duration spent on 17 physical activities at baseline in 1991–1996 and after 5 years. Cardiovascular mortality was obtained from a register during a mean of 20 years of follow-up. Results: A total leisure-time physical activity of 15–25 metabolic equivalent task (MET) hours/week was associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular mortality (HR 15–25 vs < 7.5 MET-h/week =0.80, 95% CI 0.69–0.93), with no further risk reduction at higher levels. Several high-intensity activities (i.e., lawn tennis and running) and moderate-intensity activities (i.e., golf, cycling and gardening) were associated with a reduced risk. Individuals who engaged in high-intensity physical activity for an average of 2.29 MET h/week (30 min/week) had an 18% (95% CI 0.72–0.93) reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality compared with non-participants, and no further risk reductions were observed at higher levels. Decreased risk was observed among individuals who had started (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.32–0.97) or continued (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.36–0.66) high-intensity activities at the five-year follow-up. Conclusions: Moderate- and high-intensity leisure-time physical activities reduced the risk of cardiovascular mortality. With regard to total leisure-time physical activity, the largest risk reduction was observed for 15–25 MET-h/week (equivalent to walking for approximately 5 h/week).
Original language | English |
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Article number | 1948 |
Journal | BMC Public Health |
Volume | 21 |
ISSN | 1471-2458 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:
The authors wish to thank all participants in the Malm? Diet and Cancer Study for making this study possible.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).
- Cardiovascular mortality, High-intensity physical activity, Leisure-time physical activity, Prevention, Running
Research areas
ID: 288802200