Key result
Physical exercise was not significantly associated with an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation (RR 0.914; 95% CI 0.833-1.003).
Why the study?
The relationship between exercise and AF remains controversial.
Does physical exercise affect the incidence of atrial fibrillation in individuals aged 12 to 90 years?
Meta-Analysis (n=276,323)
Does physical exercise affect the incidence of atrial fibrillation in individuals aged 12 to 90 years?
Relative Risk: 0.914 (95% CI 0.833–1.003)
Physical activity, when analyzed broadly without stratification by intensity, does not appear to significantly increase the risk of incident atrial fibrillation.
Reassures on AF safety with broad exercise; supports guidelines while leaving intensity-specific effects open.
Background: The relationship between exercise and atrial fibrillation (AF) is controversial. Objectives: To analyze the effects of physical activity on the incidence of atrial fibrillation using systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that relate physical exercise and atrial fibrillation. The following databases were searched: PubMed, BVS Saúde and Cochrane. The following descriptors were used: "atrial fibrillation", "exercise", "physical activity" and "exercise therapy". All prospective, retrospective, cross-sectional and cohort studies were investigated. All statistical analyzes were provided using Review Manager 5.3 to provide the mean difference (MD) and relative risk (RR) ratio with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The statistical method of heterogeneity index was used to assess heterogeneity. Level of significance was 5%. Results: Combined analysis of 11 studies totaling 276,323 participants aged between 12 and 90 years did not suggest a significant increase in AF in individuals submitted to physical exercise (RR = 0.914, 95% CI = 0.833-1.003, heterogeneity: p < 0.001). Conclusions: Physical exercise, lato sensu, without stratification by intensity, sex or age does not seem to be associated with an increase of atrial fibrillation.
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Garlipp et al. (2019) conducted a meta-analysis in Atrial fibrillation (n=276,323). Physical exercise was evaluated on Incidence of atrial fibrillation (RR 0.914, 95% CI 0.833-1.003). Physical exercise was not significantly associated with an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation (RR 0.914; 95% CI 0.833-1.003).
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