Asymptomatic leg atherosclerosis is reduced by regular physical activity. Longitudinal results from the cohort "men born in 1914"

Objective: to study whether physical activity is associated with reduced oc currence of asymptomatic leg atherosclerosis. Design: longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses of the population-based c ohort "men born in 1914". Methods: comparison of the systolic ankle/arm pressure index (AAI) at age 6 8 in groups who were sedentary, performed some activity, and performed regu lar physical training at 55 and 68 years of age. Results: at 55 years of age, 100 (27%) were sedentary, 209 (58%) reported s ome physical activity and 54 (15%) reported regular physical training. AT 6 8 years, 194 men (53%) reported the same degree of physical activity, 127 ( 35%) reported a higher physical activity, and 42 (12%) reported lower physi cal activity. Physical activity at 55 years (p = 0.03) and increased physic al activity between 55 and 68 years (p = 0.03) were both associated with hi gher AAI at 68 after adjusting for potential confounders. At 68 years, AAI was 0.89 +/-0.21, 1.01 +/-0.13 and 1.05 +/-0.11, respectively, in men who w ere sedentary, reported some physical activity, and regular physical traini ng (p = 0.0003). This association remained significant after adjustments fo r potential confounders. Conclusions: regular physical activity is associated with reduced occurrenc e of asymptomatic leg atherosclerosis, even in men taking up exercise after age of 55.