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How your fitness relates to mortality and heart disease

Subject: Cardiorespiratory fitness as a quantitative predictor of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in healthy men and women: a meta-analysis

What this means

Better fitness was linked to lower mortality and fewer heart and vascular events. People with low fitness had clearly higher risk than those with intermediate or high fitness.

Kodama S, Saito K, Tanaka S, Maki M, Yachi Y, Asumi M, Sugawara A, Totsuka K, Shimano H, Ohashi Y, Yamada N, Sone H · 2009 · JAMA

What does this rating mean?

Multiple consistent meta-analyses or a position stand. Sufficient basis for a fixed choice in the coaching.

Findings

Cardiorespiratory fitness is a strong, quantitative predictor of mortality and cardiovascular events: each additional MET was associated with 13% lower mortality risk. Low-fitness individuals had 70% higher mortality risk than high-fitness individuals.

Who this applies to

Healthy men and women.

Size of the research

33 studies, with 102 980 participants for mortality and 84 323 for heart and vascular disease.

What to keep in mind

These are observational studies that followed people over time. They show an association and do not prove cause. Fitness was only measured at the start.

Practical conclusion for REZA

One of the classic, strongest pieces of evidence behind REZA's focus on cardiorespiratory fitness: fitness is one of the most powerful, measurable predictors of how long someone lives.

View method and source

Methodology

Meta-analysis

Population

33 cohort studies; 102,980 participants/6910 events (all-cause mortality) and 84,323 participants/4485 events (CHD/CVD)

Intervention

Exposure: maximal aerobic capacity in METs (low <7.9, intermediate 7.9-10.8, high ≥10.9)

Outcome measures

All-cause mortality; combined coronary heart disease/cardiovascular disease events

Limitations

Observational; searches only to 2008; heterogeneity in fitness testing and adjustment; healthy-cohort restriction limits generalisability to clinical populations.

Original source

DOI: 10.1001/jama.2009.681 · PMID: 19454641

View on PubMed →

This information is general education about scientific research. It is not personal medical advice and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a doctor or other healthcare professional. If you have symptoms, a medical condition or take medication, consult your GP or treating professional before changing your training or nutrition.