EFFECTS OF WALKING ON MORTALITY AMONG NONSMOKING RETIRED MEN

Background The potential benefit of low-intensity activity in terms of longevity among older men has not been clearly documented. We examine d the association between walking and mortality in a cohort of retired men who were nonsmokers and physically capable of participating in lo w-intensity activities on a daily basis. Methods We studied 707 nonsmo king retired men, 61 to 81 years of age, who were enrolled in the Hono lulu Heart Program. The distance walked (miles per day) was recorded a t a base-line examination, which took place between 1980 and 1982. Dat a on overall mortality (from any cause) were collected over a 12-year period of follow-up. Results During the follow-up period, there were 2 08 deaths. After adjustment for age, the mortality rate among the men who walked less than 1 mile (1.6 km) per day was nearly twice that amo ng those who walked more than 2 miles (3.2 km) per day (40.5 percent v s. 23.8 percent, P=0.001). The cumulative incidence of death after 12 years for the most active walkers was reached in less than 7 years amo ng the men who were least active. The distance walked remained inverse ly related to mortality after adjustment for overall measures of activ ity and other risk factors (P = 0.01). Conclusions Our findings in old er physically capable men indicate that regular walking is associated with a lower overall mortality rate, Encouraging elderly people to wal k may benefit their health. (C) 1998, Massachusetts Medical Society.