title: Vigorous-intensity leisure-time physical activity and risk of major chronic disease in men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although studies have shown health benefits for moderate-intensity physical activity, there is limited evidence to support beneficial effects for high amounts of vigorous activity among middle-age and older men. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between vigorous-intensity physical activity, compared with moderate-intensity activity, and risk of major chronic disease in men.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively examined the associations between vigorous- and moderate-intensity physical activity and risk of major chronic disease among 44,551 men age 40-75 yr in 1986. Leisure-time physical activity was assessed biennially by questionnaire. During 22 yr of follow-up, we documented 14,162 incident cases of major chronic disease, including 4769 cardiovascular events, 6449 cancer events, and 2944 deaths from other causes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The HR of major chronic disease comparing ≥ 21 to 0 MET.h.wk(-1) of exercise was 0.86 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.81-0.91) for vigorous-intensity activity and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.80-0.90) for moderate activity. For cardiovascular disease (CVD), the corresponding HRs were 0.78 (95% CI, 0.70-0.86) and 0.80 (95% CI, 0.72-0.88), respectively. When examined separately, running, tennis, and brisk walking were inversely associated with CVD risk. Furthermore, more vigorous activity was associated with lower disease risk; the HR comparing >70 to 0 MET.h.wk(-1) of vigorous-intensity exercise was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.68-0.92; P < 0.0001 for trend) for major chronic disease and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.56-0.96; P < 0.0001 for trend) for CVD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vigorous- and moderate-intensity physical activities were associated with lower risk of major chronic disease and CVD. Increasing amounts of vigorous activity remained inversely associated with disease risk, even among men in the highest categories of exercise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA. akaye@hsph.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Andrea K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chomistek
authors.forename: Nancy R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Flint
authors.forename: Eric B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Rimm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D002423:Cause of Death; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012306:Risk; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires