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

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.

Key words

primary prevention - physical training - fitness - aging - gender

References

Appendix A

Tables A1-A8

Table A1 Studies with two intensity groups of physical activity.

First author (year) Country Follow-up (yrs) Sex Adjustment Age group Number of participants RR in the active group+(95% CI)
Kaplan (1996) USA 28 all multivariate 3 6 131 0.84 (0.77–0.92)
Knoops (2004) Europe 10 all multivariate 2 2 339 0.63 (0.55–0.72)
Hedblad (1997) S 25 men age 1 642 0.68 (0.49–0.94)
Hedblad (1997) S 25 men multivariate 1 642 0.70 (0.50–0.98)
Villeneuve (1998) CDN 7 men multivariate 1 6 246 0.82 (0.65–1.04)
Schnoor (2000) DK 22 men multivariate 3 4 658 0.39 (0.19–0.73)
Panagiotakos (2004) GR 40 men multivariate 1 529 0.83 (0.66–1.02)
Villeneuve (1998) CDN 7 women multivariate 1 8 196 0.88 (0.68–1.04)
Definition of age group: 1=”<65 years”, 2=”≥65 years”, 3=”all ages”

Table A2 Studies with three intensity groups of physical activity: Sex=all.

First author (year) Country Follow-up (yrs) Adjustment Age group Number of participants RR in the moderate active group+(95% CI) RR in the most active group+(95% CI)
LaCroix (1996) USA 5 age 2 1 645 0.69 (0.46–1.06) 0.73 (0.48–1.10)
Kujala (1998) FIN 19 age 1 15 902 0.71 (0.62–0.81) 0.57 (0.45–0.74)
Hillsdon (2003) GB 12 age 1 10 522 0.57 (0.42–0.79) 0.72 (0.54–0.95)
LaCroix (1996) USA 5 multivariate 2 1 645 0.83 (0.53–1.29) 0.91 (0.58–1.42)
Kujala (1998) FIN 19 multivariate 1 15 902 0.80 (0.69–0.91) 0.76 (0.59–0.98)
Hillsdon (2003) GB 12 multivariate 1 10 522 0.63 (0.45–0.89) 0.81 (0.60–1.09)

Table A3 Studies with three intensity groups of physical activity: Sex=men.

First author (year) Country Follow-up (yrs) Adjustment Age group Number of participants RR in the moderate active group+(95% CI) RR in the most active group+(95% CI)
Leon (1991) USA 10.5 age 1 12 138 0.85 (0.73–0.99) 0.87 (0.74–1.01)
Paffenbarger (1993) USA 9 age 3 10 269 0.70 (0.54–0.88) 0.68 (0.54–0.95)
LaCroix (1996) USA 5 age 2 615 0.78 (0.43–1.45) 0.89 (0.49–1.62)
Morgan (1997) GB 10 age 2 635 0.62 (0.38–1.00) 0.36 (0.26–0.51)
Rosengren (1997) S 20 age 1 7 142 0.74 (0.68–0.82) 0.73 (0.68–0.79)
Bijnen (1998) NL 10 age 2 802 0.67 (0.52–0.85) 0.64 (0.50–0.83)
Hakim (1998) USA 12 age 2 707 0.64 (0.38–1.12) 0.53 (0.34–0.77)
Andersen (2000) DK 14.5 age 3 17 265 0.71 (0.66–0.76) 0.65 (0.59–0.70)
Yu (2003) GB 11 age 1 1 975 0.88 (0.66–1.18) 0.58 (0.41–0.82)
Barengo (2004) FIN 20 age 1 15 853 0.85 (0.79–0.92) 0.60 (0.53–0.68)
Leon (1991) USA 10.5 multivariate 1 12 138 0.89 (0.77–1.04) 0.92 (0.79–1.07)
Lindsted (1991) USA 26 multivariate 1 9 484 0.68 (0.59–0.78) 0.76 (0.63–0.92)
Mensink (1996) D 8 multivariate 1 954 0.61 (0.35–1.05) 0.79 (0.48–1.31)
Morgan (1997) GB 10 multivariate 2 635 0.85 (0.52–1.39) 0.63 (0.44–0.89)
Rosengren (1997) S 20 multivariate 1 7 142 0.84 (0.77–0.93) 0.83 (0.77–0.90)
Bijnen (1998) NL 10 multivariate 2 802 0.80 (0.63–1.02) 0.77 (0.59–1.00)
Hakim (1998) USA 12 multivariate 2 707 0.62 (0.36–1.08) 0.56 (0.37–0.83)
Sherman (1999) USA 16 multivariate 3 962 0.85 (0.77–0.94) 0.80 (0.70–0.89)
Andersen (2000) DK 14.5 multivariate 3 17 265 0.72 (0.66–0.78) 0.71 (0.65–0.78)
Yu (2003) GB 11 multivariate 1 1 975 0.87 (0.65–1.17) 0.61 (0.43–0.86)
Barengo (2004) FIN 20 multivariate 1 15 853 0.91 (0.85–0.98) 0.80 (0.71–0.90)

Table A4 Studies with three intensity groups of physical activity: Sex=women.

First author (year) Country Follow-up (yrs) Adjustment Age group Number of participants RR in the moderate active group+(95% CI) RR in the most active group+(95% CI)
LaCroix (1996) USA 5 age 2 1 030 0.50 (0.28–0.90) 0.45 (0.25–0.83)
Kushi (1997) USA 7 age 1 40 417 0.66 (0.60–0.73) 0.58 (0.52–0.65)
Morgan (1997) GB 10 age 2 635 0.61 (0.40–0.92) 0.36 (0.27–0.48)
Andersen (2000) DK 14.5 age 3 13 375 0.64 (0.59–0.69) 0.55 (0.49–0.62)
Barengo (2004) FIN 20 age 1 16 824 0.85 (0.77–0.94) 0.87 (0.74–1.02)
Lissner (1996) S 20 multivariate 1 1 405 0.56 (0.39–0.82) 0.45 (0.24–0.86)
Mensink (1996) D 8 multivariate 1 1 142 0.94 (0.51–1.75) 0.81 (0.44–1.49)
Kushi (1997) USA 7 multivariate 1 40 417 0.77 (0.69–0.86) 0.68 (0.60–0.77)
Morgan (1997) GB 10 multivariate 2 635 0.73 (0.48–1.12) 0.48 (0.36–0.65)
Sherman (1999) USA 16 multivariate 3 1 410 0.84 (0.76–0.93) 0.83 (0.75–0.90)
Andersen (2000) DK 14.5 multivariate 3 13 375 0.65 (0.60–0.71) 0.59 (0.52–0.67)
Barengo (2004) FIN 20 multivariate 1 16 824 0.90 (0.82–0.99) 0.98 (0.83–1.15)

_Table A5_ Studies with four intensity groups of physical activity: _Sex_=all.

First author (year) Country Follow-up (yrs) Adjustment Age group Number of participants RR in the light active group+(95% CI) RR in the moderate active group+(95% CI) RR in the most active group+(95% CI)
Andersen (2000) DK 14.5 age 3 30 640 0.68 (0.64–0.71) 0.61 (0.57–0.66) 0.53 (0.41–0.68)
Hillsdon (2003) GB 12 age 1 7 704 0.68 (0.45–1.05) 0.40 (0.27–0.58) 0.40 (0.28–0.57)
Hillsdon (2003) GB 12 multivariate 1 7 704 1.14 (0.74–1.78) 0.53 (0.35–0.82) 0.52 (0.35–0.78)

_Table A6_ Studies with four intensity groups of physical activity: _Sex_=men.

First author (year) Country Follow-up (yrs) Adjustment Age group Number of participants RR in the light active group+(95% CI) RR in the moderate active group+(95% CI) RR in the most active group+(95% CI)
Morris (1990) GB 9.5 age 1 9 376 0.88 (0.66–1.17) 0.78 (0.54–1.12) 0.34 (0.18–0.66)
Eaton (1995) ISR 21 age 3 8 463 0.84 (0.74–0.94) 0.81 (0.73–0.90) 0.84 (0.72–0.98)
Leon (1997) USA 16 age 1 12 138 0.78 (0.67–0.91) 0.77 (0.66–0.90) 0.74 (0.63–0.86)
Wannamethee (1998) GB 4 age 3 5 934 0.57 (0.40–0.78) 0.39 (0.25–0.62) 0.48 (0.34–0.68)
Morris (1990) GB 9.5 multivariate 1 4 824 0.90 (0.57–1.44) 0.59 (0.34–1.05) 0.53 (0.21–1.32)
Sandvik (1993) N 16 multivariate 1 1 960 0.92 (0.66–1.28) 1.00 (0.71–1.41) 0.54 (0.32–0.89)
Haapanen (1996) FIN 11 multivariate 1 1 072 0.40 (0.21–0.75) 0.64 (0.34–1.20) 0.37 (0.19–0.68)
Folsom (1997) USA 7 multivariate 1 6 188 0.83 (0.60–1.14) 0.97 (0.65–1.45) 0.68 (0.47–0.99)
Leon (1997) USA 16 multivariate 1 12 138 0.85 (0.73–0.99) 0.87 (0.75–1.02) 0.83 (0.71–0.97
Erikssen (1998) N 13 multivariate 1 1 428 0.72 (0.52–0.99) 0.48 (0.33–0.71) 0.45 (0.29–0.69)
Villeneuve (1998) CDN 7 multivariate 1 6 246 0.81 (0.59–1.11) 0.79 (0.54–1.13) 0.86 (0.61–1.22)
Wannamethee (1998) GB 4 multivariate 3 5 934 0.61 (0.43–0.86) 0.50 (0.31–0.79) 0.65 (0.45–0.94)
Breckenkamp (2004) D 14 multivariate 1 2 320 0.62 (0.35–1.08) 0.76 (0.45–1.29) 0.44 (0.30–0.65)

_Table A7_ Studies with four intensity groups of physical activity: _Sex_=women.

First author (year) Country Follow-up (yrs) Adjustment Age group Number of participants RR in the light active group+(95% CI) RR in the moderate active group+(95% CI) RR in the most active group+(95% CI)
Weller (1998) CDN 7 age 3 6 620 0.91 (0.66–1.25) 0.94 (0.72–1.23) 0.89 (0.67–1.17)
Folsom (1997) USA 7 multivariate 1 7 852 0.79 (0.53–1.18) 1.05 (0.66–1.66) 0.58 (0.36–0.92)
Villeneuve (1998) CDN 7 multivariate 1 8 196 0.94 (0.69–1.30) 0.92 (0.64–1.34) 0.71 (0.45–1.11)
Breckenkamp (2004) D 14 multivariate 1 2 320 0.34 (0.14–0.81) 0.39 (0.17–0.91) 0.23 (0.12–0.42)

Table A8 Studies with five intensity groups of physical activity.

First author (year) Country Follow-up (year) Sex Adjustment Age group
Fried (1998) USA 5 all age 2
Fried (1998) USA 5 all multivariate 2
Sundquist (2004) S 12 all multivariate 2
Sundquist (2004) S 12 men age 2
Lee (1995) USA 26 men multivariate 1
Sundquist (2004) S 12 women age 2
Rockhill (2001) USA 20 women age 1
Rockhill (2001) USA 20 women multivariate 1
First author (year) Number of participants RR in the light active group+(95% CI) RR in the moderate active group+(95% CI) RR in the active group+(95% CI) RR in the most active group+(95% CI)
Fried (1998) 5 201 0.62 0.55 0.43 0.29
(0.49–0.80) (0.43–0.70) (0.34–0.55) (0.23–0.38)
Fried (1998) 5 201 0.78 0.81 0.72 0.56
(0.60–1.00) (0.63–1.05) (0.55–0.93) (0.43–0.74)
Sundquist (2004) 3 206 0.72 0.60 0.50 0.60
0.64–0.81) (0.50–0.71) (0.42–0.59) (0.46–0.79)
Sundquist (2004) 1 414 0.74 0.57 0.51 0.60
(0.62–0.87) (0.44–0.73) (0.41–0.64) (0.44–0.82)
Lee (1995) 17 321 0.88 0.92 0.87 0.87
(0.82–0.96) (0.82–1.02) (0.77–0.99) (0.78–0.97)
Sundquist (2004) 1 792 0.70 0.59 0.47 0.54
(0.59–0.82) (0.46–0.77) (0.35–0.62) (0.31–0.94)
Rockhill (2001) 4 746 0.76 0.66 0.64 0.62
(0.70–0.82) (0.61–0.71) (0.58–0.70) (0.54–0.72)
Rockhill (2001) 4 746 0.82 0.75 0.74 0.71
(0.76–0.89) (0.69–0.81) (0.68–0.81) (0.61–0.82)
(Above: Authors,Country,Follow-up,Sex,Adjustment, Age; Below:No of participants,RR according to the groups compared to sedentary group)

Correspondence

Prof. H. Löllgen

Department of Medicine

Ruhr-University

Bermesgasse 32 b

42897 Remscheid

Germany

Phone: +49/21916 53 54

Fax: +49/21916 106 71

Email: loellgen@dgsp.de