Leisure-time physical activity levels and risk of coronary heart disease and death. The Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial

The relation of self-selected leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) to first major coronary heart disease (CHD) events and overall mortality was studied in 12 138 middle-aged men participating in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial. Total LTPA over the preceding year was quantitated in mean minutes per day at baseline by questionnaire, with subjects classified into tertiles (low, moderate, and high) based on LTPA distribution. During seven years of follow-up, moderate LTPA was associated with 63% as many fatal CHD events and sudden deaths, and 70% as many total deaths as low LTPA (PPJAMA1987;258:2388-2395)