Long-Term Leisure-Time Physical Activity Intensity and All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: A Prospective Cohort of US Adults
Overview
Paper Summary
This large study found that reaching a specific amount of vigorous or moderate weekly physical activity provides the most benefit for a longer life, and going beyond that doesn't provide further reductions in mortality risk. The study relied on self-reported physical activity data, which has limitations, but the authors tried to address these by using repeated measurements over 30 years and excluding early deaths to reduce bias. For cause-specific mortality (CVD versus non-CVD), the relationship with physical activity had a similar pattern.
Explain Like I'm Five
Lots of exercise is good, but more isn't always better. This study showed maximum health benefits happen at a certain amount of long-term exercise and even much more is not clearly harmful.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
None identified.
Identified Limitations
Rating Explanation
This is a large, long-term prospective cohort study that uses repeated measures of physical activity. While relying on self-reported data, the methodology reduces limitations like reverse causation bias and measurement errors, providing stronger evidence than studies with single baseline measurements. Despite the limitations of self-reporting and the homogenous sample group, the study makes a significant contribution to understanding the link between long-term physical activity and mortality.
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