Associations of light, moderate, and vigorous intensity physical activity with longevity - The Harvard Alumni Health Study

Physical activity is associated with better health; however, the optimal in tensity of activity remains unclear. A total of 13,485 men (mean age, 57.5 years) from the Harvard Alumni Health Study reported their walking, stair c limbing, and sports/recreation in 1977. Between 1977 and 1992, 2,539 died. After adjusting for the different activity components, distance walked and storeys climbed independently predicted longevity (p, trend = 0.004 and <0. 001, respectively). Light activities (<4 multiples of resting metabolic rat e (METs)) were not associated with reduced mortality rates, moderate activi ties (4-<6 METs) appeared somewhat beneficial, and vigorous activities (gre ater than or equal to 6 METs) dearly predicted lower mortality rates (p, tr end = 0.72, 0.07, and <0.001, respectively). These data provide some suppor t for current recommendations that emphasize moderate intensity activity; t hey also clearly indicate a benefit of vigorous activity.