Physical activity, physical fitness and longevity
Abstract
Numerous studies consistently have shown that higher levels of physical activity are associated with decreased risks of coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, colon and, possibly, breast cancer, as well as osteoporosis. The biological processes proposed to explain these inverse associations are highly plausible. If physical activity does reduce the risk of developing these chronic diseases, we also would expect physical activity to delay mortality and enhance longevity. In this article, we review the major epidemiological studies worldwide that have examined the association between physical activity or physical fitness and all-cause mortality. The data from these studies indicate that physical activity is effective in postponing mortality and enhancing longevity. Public health professionals worldwide should emphasize the need to increase activity levels during leisure time, as well as the need to incorporate physical activity into the daily activities of life.
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Prospective epidemiological studies of occupational and leisure-time physical activity have consistently documented a reduced incidence of CAD events in more physically active and fit subjects.
“During the past half-century, prospective epidemiological studies of occupational and leisure-time physical activity have consistently documented a reduced incidence of CAD events in the more physically active 9 and fit 10 subjects.”
From Exercise and Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Statement From the Council on Clinical Cardiology (Subcommittee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention) and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Subcommittee on Physical Activity) (2003) · cites this paper as [9]
In many studies, the lower frequency of CAD was independent of other known atherosclerotic risk factors.
“In many studies, the lower frequency of CAD was independent of other known atherosclerotic risk factors.”
From Exercise and Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Statement From the Council on Clinical Cardiology (Subcommittee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention) and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Subcommittee on Physical Activity) (2003) · cites this paper as [9]
The most physically active subjects generally demonstrate CAD rates half those of the most sedentary group.
“The results are strong, with the most physically active subjects generally demonstrating CAD rates half those of the most sedentary group.”
From Exercise and Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Statement From the Council on Clinical Cardiology (Subcommittee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention) and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Subcommittee on Physical Activity) (2003) · cites this paper as [9]
The results are consistent with all published studies documenting lower CAD rates in more active subjects, although the relationship did not reach statistical significance in some individual reports.
“The results are consistent with all published studies documenting lower CAD rates in the more active subjects, although the relationship did not reach statistical significance in some individual reports.”
From Exercise and Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Statement From the Council on Clinical Cardiology (Subcommittee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention) and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Subcommittee on Physical Activity) (2003) · cites this paper as [9]
Multiple prospective studies demonstrate appropriate sequencing because lower physical activity levels preceded the development of CAD rather than resulted from the disease itself.
“Multiple studies were prospective and thereby demonstrate appropriate sequencing because the lower physical activity levels preceded the development of CAD rather than resulted from the disease itself.”
From Exercise and Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Statement From the Council on Clinical Cardiology (Subcommittee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention) and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Subcommittee on Physical Activity) (2003) · cites this paper as [9]
There is a graded relationship of decreasing CAD rates with increasing levels of physical activity.
“The data demonstrate a graded relationship of decreasing CAD rates with increasing levels of activity.”
From Exercise and Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Statement From the Council on Clinical Cardiology (Subcommittee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention) and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Subcommittee on Physical Activity) (2003) · cites this paper as [9]
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- Authors
- Lee, I. M., Paffenbarger, R. S., & Hennekens, C. H.
- Affiliations
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- Venue
- Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
- Published
- 1997-02
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 1-2
- Pages
- 2-11
- ISSN
- 1594-0667 (ISSN-L)
- 1720-8319
- OpenAlex
- W2080224958
- Cited by
- 146
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 1.63
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Aging Clinical and Experimental Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise
- Keywords
- physical activity, physical fitness, longevity, all-cause mortality, chronic disease risk, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, leisure-time physical activity
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Breast Neoplasms, Cerebrovascular Disorders, Coronary Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Female, Health Status, Humans, Hypertension, Longevity, Mortality, Osteoporosis, Physical Fitness, Risk Factors, Exercise
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