Key result
Combined occupational and nonoccupational physical activity is linked to ~57% lower all-cause mortality.
Why the study?
It remained unclear whether meeting physical activity guidelines through occupational activity alone, nonoccupational activity alone, or combined activity has different health consequences.
Does achieving physical activity guidelines through occupational, nonoccupational, or combined activity reduce all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in US adults?
Cohort (n=23,752)
Yes
Does achieving physical activity guidelines through occupational, nonoccupational, or combined activity reduce all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in US adults?
Hazard Ratio: 0.43 (95% CI 0.33–0.56)
Achieving physical activity guidelines through any domain lowers all-cause mortality, but the reduction in cardiovascular mortality is specifically driven by nonoccupational or combined physical activity.
Supports combined activity for mortality reduction in US adults; extends guidelines but leaves causality open in observational data.
BACKGROUND: It remains unclear whether achieving the physical activity guidelines through occupational activity alone, nonoccupational activity alone, or combined occupational and nonoccupational activity has different health consequences. METHODS: Adults aged 18 years or older in the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) from 2007 to 2018 were prospectively observed. Mortality data were acquired from the National Death Index through December 31, 2019. Time of self-reported occupational and nonoccupational activity was calculated. All-cause mortality was the primary outcome, with cardiovascular and cancer mortality as secondary outcomes. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the association of occupational and nonoccupational activity with mortality. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 6.92 years, 23 752 participants were included in our analysis, with 1367 deaths recorded, including 367 cardiovascular and 328 cancer deaths. Compared with inactive participants, those achieving recommended activity levels through occupational activity alone (hazard ratio [HR], 0.75 [95% CI, 0.60-0.94]), nonoccupational activity alone (HR, 0.58, [95% CI, 0.47-0.71]), or combined activity (HR, 0.43 [95% CI, 0.33-0.56]) had lower all-cause mortality. Additionally, those achieving recommended activity levels through nonoccupational activity alone (HR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.36-0.71]) or combined activity (HR, 0.32 [95% CI, 0.20-0.57]) had lower cardiovascular mortality. However, occupational activity alone (HR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.61-1.29]), nonoccupational activity alone (HR, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.66-1.46]), and combined activity (HR, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.38-1.11]) were not associated with cancer mortality. CONCLUSION: Achieving recommended activity levels through any domain was associated with lower all-cause mortality. Nonoccupational activity alone or combined activity was associated with lower cardiovascular mortality. Participants in occupational activity alone may benefit more if they also achieve recommended activity levels through nonoccupational activity.
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Mahe et al. (2025) conducted a cohort in General adult population (n=23,752). Achieving physical activity guidelines (combined occupational and nonoccupational) vs. Inactive participants (<150 min/wk moderate-to-vigorous activity) was evaluated on All-cause mortality (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.33-0.56). Achieving recommended physical activity levels through combined occupational and nonoccupational activity reduced all-cause mortality by 57% (HR 0.43) compared to being inactive.
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