M-A | Non-occupational physical activity and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and mortality outcomes

Summary:

The study aimed to determine the association between non-occupational physical activity and chronic disease and mortality outcomes in the general adult population. The systematic review and meta-analysis included 196 articles covering 94 cohorts and over 30 million participants.

The results showed that higher activity levels were associated with a lower risk of all outcomes. The strongest associations were observed for all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, with weaker associations for cancer incidence.

The study also found that appreciable population health benefits could be gained from increasing physical activity levels of people who are inactive to just half the current health recommendations; doing that could prevent one in 10 premature deaths.

The findings support the current physical activity recommendations and suggest that even small increases in non-occupational physical activity in inactive adults can provide substantial protection against chronic disease outcomes.

It’s worth noting, however, that this study has the usual limitations of observational studies since all the included studies are cohort studies. Therefore, the results are subject to residual confounding, meaning that other factors not measured or accounted for in the studies could influence the observed associations.

Article: Non-occupational physical activity and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and mortality outcomes: a dose–response meta-analysis of large prospective studies – British Journal of Sports Medicine

News Releases:

One in ten early deaths could be prevented if everyone managed at least half the recommended level of physical activity, say a team led by researchers at the University of Cambridge

1 in 10 early deaths averted if everyone met physical activity targets – BMJ Newsroom