Impact of different domains of physical activity on cause-specific mortality: A longitudinal study

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this paper is to examine the associations between different domains of physical activity and all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer mortality. MethodsParticipants (n=17,663, aged 16–92years) of two general population health studies conducted between 1977 and 1993 in Switzerland were included. Physical activity was assessed at baseline in the domains of commuting to work, work-related physical activity, and leisure-time physical activity (including leisure-time activity level and sport activity). A median follow-up time of 20.2years was obtained with anonymous record linkage providing 3878 deaths (CVD: 1357; cancer: 1351). Adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were calculated. ResultsThere were no significant associations between commuting and work-related physical activities, respectively, and mortality. Leisure-time activity level was associated with all-cause mortality in men [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.75, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.63–0.89] and women [HR 0.82 (0.74–0.91)], with CVD mortality in women only [HR 0.79 (0.67–0.94)] and with cancer mortality in men only [HR 0.63 (0.47–0.86)]. Sport activity was associated with all-cause, CVD and cancer mortality in men [HR ranged between 0.76 (0.63–0.92) and 0.85 (0.76–0.95)], but not in women. ConclusionsThese results underline the public health relevance of physical activity for the prevention of CVD and cancer, especially regarding leisure-time physical activity.