Key result
Each extra 1000 steps/day is linked to a ~14% lower CVD risk in older men.
Why the study?
Physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour, and CVD incidence increase with age, but whether the total volume of activity matters more than pattern for CVD onset in older men remained unclear.
Does higher volume or specific patterns of physical activity reduce the onset of cardiovascular disease in older men?
Cohort (n=1,181)
Yes
Does higher volume or specific patterns of physical activity reduce the onset of cardiovascular disease in older men?
Hazard Ratio: 0.86 (95% CI 0.78–0.95)
In older men, a higher total volume of steps or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with reduced CVD risk, regardless of whether the activity is accumulated in bouts.
May inform step-count counseling in older men; extends activity-volume data but leaves causality open for trials.
AIMS: With increasing age, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour levels increase, as does cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence. We investigate how device-measured sedentary behaviour and physical activity (PA) are related to CVD onset in men aged 70+; whether the total volume of activity is more important than pattern. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective population-based cohort study of men recruited from 24 UK General Practices in 1978-80. In 2010-12, 3137 survivors were invited to complete questionnaires and wear an Actigraph GT3x accelerometer for 7 days. PA intensity was categorised as sedentary, light and moderate to vigorous (MVPA). Men were followed up for Myocardial Infarction, stroke and heart failure (ICD9 410-414, 430-438 and 428) morbidity and mortality from 2010 to 12 to June 2016. Hazard Ratios (HRs) for incident Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) were estimated. 1528/3137 (49%) men had sufficient accelerometer data. 254 men with pre-existing CVD were excluded. Participants' mean age was 78.4 (range 71-92) years. After median 4.9 years follow-up, 122 first CVD events occurred in 1181 men (22.7/1000 person-years) with complete data. For each additional 30 min in sedentary behaviour, light PA,10 min in MVPA, or 1000 steps/day, HRs for CVD were 1.09(95%CI 1.00, 1.19), 0.94(0.85, 1.04), 0.88(0.81, 0.96) and 0.86(0.78 to 0.95) respectively, adjusted for measurement-related factors, socio-demographics, health behaviours and disability. HRs for accumulating 150 min/week MVPA in bouts ≥1 min and bouts ≥10 min were 0.47(0.32 to 0.69), and 0.49(0.25, 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: In older men, high volume of steps or MVPA rather than MVPA bouts was associated with reduced CVD risk.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Jefferis et al. (2018) conducted a cohort in Cardiovascular disease (n=1,181). Physical activity (steps and MVPA) vs. Lower levels of physical activity was evaluated on Incident Cardiovascular Disease (Myocardial Infarction, stroke and heart failure) (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.78-0.95). In older men, each additional 1000 steps/day was associated with a reduced risk of incident cardiovascular disease (HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.78-0.95).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: