Skip to main content

Performance

A · High confidence

Physical activity, death and heart disease: how much is enough

Subject: Physical Activity, All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality, and Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Multiple Health Outcomes

What this means

Any amount of moderate to vigorous activity was linked to lower death rates and less heart disease than none. Meeting the 2008 guidelines reached about 75% of the largest measured difference.

Kraus WE, Powell KE, Haskell WL, Janz KF, Campbell WW, Jakicic JM, Troiano RP, Sprow K, Torres A, Piercy KL, 2018 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES ADVISORY COMMITTEE* · 2019 · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

What does this rating mean?

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

Findings

An umbrella review of systematic reviews, meta-analyses and pooled analyses (2006 to March 2018) found that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with lower all-cause mortality, lower cardiovascular mortality and less cardiovascular disease. Benefits begin at about one third of guideline amounts; meeting the guidelines achieves about 75% of the maximal benefit. Activity beyond the guidelines adds further but progressively smaller gains.

Who this applies to

Adults, mainly from the US population, with activity levels as reported by the participants themselves.

Size of the research

Review of existing reviews and pooled analyses published from 2006 to March 2018.

What to keep in mind

These are associations, and activity was mostly self-reported. Above the guideline level, extra activity was linked to ever smaller additional differences.

Practical conclusion for REZA

Supports that every step towards the activity guidelines counts, including for people who are currently inactive. This review says nothing about resistance training specifically; other sources in the library cover that.

View method and source

Methodology

Evidence overview

Population

Systematic reviews, meta-analyses and pooled analyses; general adult population

Intervention

Different levels of physical activity

Outcome measures

All-cause mortality, CVD mortality, CVD incidence

Limitations

Overview of reviews; observational data, largely based on self-reported activity; varying definitions of physical activity.

Original source

DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001939 · PMID: 31095084

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.