Lung test closely linked to mortality
Wednesday July 27th, 2016
Poor fitness is a key factor in loss of life among middle-aged men, according to Swedish researchers.
It
is the second biggest factor in early death among middle-aged men, after
smoking, has been found to be low physical capacity.
The link between physical fitness and mortality was analysed using figures on 792 men from the Swedish "Study of Men Born in 1913". These men did an exercise test at 54 years of age (1967), and most of them also did a maximum-tolerated exercise test. Their oxygen uptake, or VO2 max, was measured using ergospirometry, a diagnostic procedure of the heart and lungs.
The study continued for 100 years after the men were born. Their causes of death were taken from a national death registry.
Those in the middle third for oxygen uptake had a 21% lower risk of death over 45 years than those in the middle third. The top third, in turn, had a 21% lower risk than the middle third.
The research is published today (27 July) in The European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Lead author Dr Per Ladenvall says: "The benefits of being physically active over a lifetime are clear. Low physical capacity is a greater risk for death than high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
"VO2 max is a measure of aerobic capacity and the higher the figure, the more physically fit a person is. In 1967 it was difficult to do ergospirometry in large populations, so the researchers derived a formula using the measurements in the subpopulation, and then calculated predicted VO2 max for the remaining 656 men who had done the maximum exercise test."
Dr Ladenvall added: "The effect of aerobic capacity on risk of death was second only to smoking. We have come a long way in reducing smoking. The next major challenge is to keep us physically active and also to reduce physical inactivity, such as prolonged sitting."
Ladenvall, P. et al. Low aerobic capacity in middle-aged men associated with increased mortality rates during 45 years of follow-up. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology 27 July 2016 doi: 10.1177/2047487316655466
Tags: Europe | Fitness | Men's Health
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