Physical Activity and All-cause Mortality: An Updated Meta-analysis with Different Intensity Categories

Abstract

In a meta-analysis we investigated the effect of physical activity with different intensity categories on all-cause mortality. Many studies have reported positive effects of regular physical activity on primary prevention. This recent meta-analysis analyzed all-cause mortality with special reference to intensity categories. A computerized systematic literature search was performed in EMBASE, PUBMED, and MEDLINE data bases (1990-2006) for prospective cohort studies on physical leisure activity. Thirty-eight studies were identified and evaluated. The presentation refers to studies with 3 or 4 different intensities of regular physical activity according to a standard questionnaire. There was a significant association of lower all-cause mortality for active individuals compared with sedentary persons. For studies with three activity categories (mildly, moderately, and highly active) and multivariate-adjusted models, highly active men had a 22% lower risk of all-cause mortality (RR=0.78; 95% CI: 0.72 to 0.84) compared to mildly active men. For women, the relative risk was 0.69 (95% CI: 0.53 to 0.90). We observed similar results in moderately active persons compared to mildly active individuals (RR=0.81 for men and RR=0.76 for women). This association of activity to all-cause mortality was similar and significant in older subjects. Regular physical activity over longer time is strongly associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality in active subjects compared to sedentary persons. There is a dose-response curve especially from sedentary subjects to those with mild and moderate exercise with only a minor additional reduction with further increase in activity level.

Effects of intrinsic aerobic capacity, aging and voluntary running on skeletal muscle sirtuins and heat shock proteins

“…Previous studies have revealed that high aerobic capacity and/or high physical activity levels are strongly associated with long lifespan in humans (Lollgen et al, 2009;. Recently, it was also reported that high intrinsic aerobic capacity is strongly linked to longevity in rodents .…”

Impact of different domains of physical activity on cause-specific mortality: A longitudinal study

“…While there was a decrease in cancer mortality with higher physical activity levels in men Laukkanen et al, 2011;Orsini et al, 2008), evidence was less clear in women . In contrast, evidence for all-cause and CVD mortality is more consistent (Lollgen et al, 2009;Nocon et al, 2008;Woodcock et al, 2011). A meta-analysis showed a risk reduction of 35% for CVD mortality and of 33% for all-cause mortality in the most active compared to the least active participants (Nocon et al, 2008).…”

Sex Differences in Health and Survival

“…These studies have shown that regular activity can contribute to the prevention of certain chronic diseases (Warburton et al 2006), the maintenance of mental well-being (Penedo and Dahn 2005), and improvements in survival among people of all ages (Löllgen et al 2009). Current public health policies rate physical activity together with diet as the most critical issues in health promotion, especially in light of the increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes in many high-income countries.…”