Physical activity of moderate intensity in leisure time and the risk of all cause mortality

Bucksch J. Physical activity of moderate intensity in leisure time and the risk of all cause mortality. Br J Sports Med. 2005;39(9):632-638.BACKGROUND: There are conflicting data about the health benefits of moderately intense physical activity. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of such activity on all cause mortality in a German sample of men and women. METHODS: Physical activity during leisure time of 3742 men and 3445 women aged 30 to 69 was assessed in a baseline questionnaire from 1984 to 1986. The participants were observed during the follow up period until 1998 when a mortality follow up was conducted. RESULTS: During the follow up period, 300 women and 643 men had died. The multivariate rate ratios (RR) for the volume of lifestyle activities of moderate intensity (for example, gardening, walking, cycling) compared with sedentary lifestyle showed a clearly protective dose-response relation (p for trend