A single weekly bout of exercise may reduce cardiovascular mortality: how little pain for cardiac gain? ‘The HUNT study, Norway’
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The observation that exercise training reduces cardiovascular mortality is robust and consistent, but the amount and intensity of exercise that is required for risk reduction is not yet resolved. METHODS: We studied the association between the amount and intensity of exercise and cardiovascular mortality in 27 143 men and 28 929 women who were free from known cardiovascular disease at the beginning of follow-up between 1984 and 1986. The relative risk of death was calculated as the rate of death among participants within a given physical activity category compared with the rate of death in the reference category (no physical activity). We used Cox regression analysis to adjust for age and other potentially confounding factors. RESULTS: After 16 years (SD 4 years) of follow-up, 2946 men (10.8%) and 2486 women (8.6%) had died from ischaemic heart disease or stroke. A single weekly bout of exercise of high intensity reduced the risk of cardiovascular death, both in men [relative risk (RR) 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49-0.75], and women (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.27-0.89), compared with those who reported no activity. There was no additional benefit from increasing the duration or the number of exercise sessions per week. The risk reduction related to exercise increased with increasing age in men, but not in women. CONCLUSION: These results challenge the current recommendation that expenditure of at least 1000 kcal per week is required to achieve exercise-induced protection against premature cardiovascular mortality.
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In the present study, questionnaires seem to be suitable tools to assess moderate and high intensities of physical activity.
“Thus, in the present study, questionnaires seem to be suitable tools to assess moderate and high intensities of physical activity.”
From Effect of exercise training for five years on all cause mortality in older adults—the Generation 100 study: randomised controlled trial (2020) · cites this paper as [5]
In numerous studies the present physical activity questions have shown sensitivity to predict current and future cardiovascular health.
“Importantly, in numerous studies5 23 the present physical activity questions have shown sensitivity to predict current and future cardiovascular health.”
From Effect of exercise training for five years on all cause mortality in older adults—the Generation 100 study: randomised controlled trial (2020) · cites this paper as [5]
Observational studies suggest that exercise has a statistically significant preventive effect on premature all cause mortality, with active individuals showing up to a 72% lower risk of premature mortality from all causes compared with inactive individuals.
“observational studies suggest that exercise has a statistically significant preventive effect on premature all cause mortality,5 6 7 with active individuals showing up to a 72% lower risk of premature mortality from all causes compared with inactive individuals.8”
From Effect of exercise training for five years on all cause mortality in older adults—the Generation 100 study: randomised controlled trial (2020) · cites this paper as [5]
With an expected 10% mortality rate after five years, 600 participants would be needed in the combined MICT and HIIT group and control group to detect a 50% reduction in mortality (from 10% to 5%), with power 90%.
“With an expected 10% mortality rate after five years, we determined that 600 participants would be needed in the combined MICT and HIIT group and control group to detect a 50% reduction in mortality (from 10% to 5%),5 18 with power 90%.”
From Effect of exercise training for five years on all cause mortality in older adults—the Generation 100 study: randomised controlled trial (2020) · cites this paper as [5]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Wisløff, U., Nilsen, T. I. L., Drøyvold, W. B., Mørkved, S., Slørdahl, S. A., & Vatten, L. J.
- Affiliations
- St Olav's University Hospital (NO)
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO)
- Departments of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Trondheim, Norway
- Corresponding author
- Wisløff, Ulrik
- Venue
- European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2006-10
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 798-804
- ISSN
- 1741-8267 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2110219786
- Cited by
- 146
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 2.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Norges Forskningsråd
- 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
- exercise intensity, cardiovascular mortality, physical activity, ischemic heart disease, stroke, exercise duration, sex differences, age differences, HUNT study, cardiovascular risk reduction
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Norway, Risk, Sex Characteristics, Time Factors, Exercise, Myocardial Ischemia, Stroke
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