LEISURE-TIME PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY AND THE 16-YEAR RISKS OF MORTALITY FROM CORONARY HEART-DISEASE AND ALL-CAUSES IN THE MULTIPLE RISK FACTOR INTERVENTION TRIAL (MRFIT)

Purpose: To examine the long-term association of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and risk of death from coronary heart disease (CHD) a nd all-causes. Methods: Data are from a prospective study of 12 138 mi ddle-aged men at high risk for CHD participating in the MRFIT. Men wer e classified into deciles based on average min/d of LTPA reported at b aseline, which were compared with cumulative CHD and all-cause mortali ty endpoints at the 16-year follow-up. Results: Men in the least-activ e decile of LTPA who averaged 4.9 min/d of LTPA (range 0 to .9 min/d) had excess age-adjusted mortality rates of 29% and 22 % for CHD and al l-causes, respectively, as compared to those in combined deciles 2 to 4, who averaged 22.7 min/d of predominantly light and moderate LTPA (r ange 10-36 min/d). No further decrement in mortality rates was noted i n those in the higher declines of LTPA. These associations remained si gnificant (P<0.05) after proportional hazards adjustments for addition al possible confounding variables. Conclusion: These data suggest that a relatively small amount (10 to 36 min/d) of daily moderate intensit y LTPA can significantly reduce premature mortality, particularly from CHD, in middle-aged and older men at high risk for CHD.