Consistent Physical Activity Linked to Reduced All-Cause, CVD Mortality

FRIDAY, July 11, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Consistently and increasingly accumulated physical activity (PA) is associated with a reduced risk for all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, according to a review published online July 10 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Ruyi Yu, from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the associations of trajectories and accumulation of PA over adulthood with all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. A total of 85 studies with three main types of PA exposure were included: 77, 34, and 15 studies assessed all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality, respectively.

The researchers observed an association for higher PA with lower risks for all outcomes. Consistently and increasingly active individuals had lower risks for all-cause and CVD mortality by around 20 to 40 percent and 30 to 40 percent, respectively; the associations with decreasing PA patterns were less evident. Similar inverse associations were seen between higher PA levels and all-cause and CVD mortality with time-varying and cumulative/average PA. For cancer mortality, the associations were found to be weaker and less robust. Risk reductions in all-cause and CVD mortality were suggested for meeting PA guidelines in nonlinear dose-response associations, but even below the guidelines, consistent/increasing PA provided health benefits.

“By capturing these patterns, this review may provide valuable insights for future research and public interventions aiming at promoting sustained PA in adults,” the authors write.

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