Optimal Frequency Intensity of Physical Activity to Reduce the Risk of Hypertension in the Korean Population

Abstract

PURPOSE: Regular physical activity (PA) is an effective lifestyle modification for preventing hypertension. This study aimed to analyze the optimal frequency of PA required to reduce the incidence of hypertension in the Korean population. Most Korean studies have included only small samples and limited age ranges.METHODS: The present study analyzed 16,299,865 participants aged ≥20 years (44.25±12.74 years) from the 2009 to 2012 Korean National Health Insurance Corporation Survey database. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the frequency and intensity of physical activity. Hazard ratios for incident hypertension were analyzed by physical activity participation, age, and sex using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models, with a non-regular physical activity group as reference.RESULTS: A total of 1,322,674 cases of incident hypertension were identified during the mean follow-up period of over 3 years. Hazard ratios for incident hypertension increased with age, with values of 50.4 and 56.1 for men and women in the older age group, respectively. Hazard ratios for incident hypertension were significantly lower in the regular PA group of middle-aged (4%) and older (7%) adults than in the non-regular PA group. The study revealed that moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA 3-5 times/week was most effective in reducing the risk of incident hypertension in middle-aged and older adults but not in young adults. We observed no additional lowering of incident hypertension risk in the group undergoing moderate-to-vigorous PA at a frequency of 6-7 days/week compared to the 35 days/week group.CONCLUSIONS: We suggest PA at a frequency of 3-5 times/week for the prevention of incident hypertension in Korean adults.