Associations of light, moderate, and vigorous intensity physical activity with longevity. The Harvard Alumni Health Study.
Physical activity is associated with better health; however, the optimal intensity of activity remains unclear. A total of 13,485 men (mean age, 57.5 years) from the Harvard Alumni Health Study reported their walking, stair climbing, and sports/recreation in 1977. Between 1977 and 1992, 2,539 died. After adjusting for the different activity components, distance walked and storeys climbed independently predicted longevity (p, trend = 0.004 and <0.001, respectively). Light activities (<4 multiples of resting metabolic rate (METs)) were not associated with reduced mortality rates, moderate activities (4-<6 METs) appeared somewhat beneficial, and vigorous activities (> or =6 METs) clearly predicted lower mortality rates (p, trend = 0.72, 0.07, and <0.001, respectively). These data provide some support for current recommendations that emphasize moderate intensity activity; they also clearly indicate a benefit of vigorous activity.
Lee
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Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Paffenbarger
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D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends