Leisure-Time Physical Activity Helps Heart Health in Middle-Aged ...

According to new research in Circulation, the journal from the American Heart Association, Dallas, middle-aged adults who regularly engage in leisure-time physical activity?such as brisk walking, vigorous gardening, cycling, sports, housework, and home maintenance?might enhance their heart health.

Mark Hamer, PhD, associate professor of epidemiology and public health at the University College in London, led the study of more than 4,200 participants with an average age of 49 years. The participants reported the duration and frequency of their leisure-time physical activities, and the researchers analyzed two key inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL6), at baseline in 1991-1993, in 1997-1999, and about 11 years after that.?

?Inflammatory markers are important because we have shown they are a key mechanism explaining the link between physical activity and the lower risk of heart disease,? Hamer says.?

The researchers discovered that physically active participants at baseline had lower CRP and IL6 levels. The difference reportedly remained stable over time, compared to participants who were found to have rarely adhered to physical activity guidelines during 10-year follow-up.?

??It?s not just vigorous exercise and sports that are important,? Hamer says. ?These leisure-time activities represent moderate intensity exercise that is important to health. It is especially important for older people to be physically active because it contributes to successful aging.?

The researchers report that 49.1% of the participants did 2.5 hours per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity, the standard physical activity recommendations for cardiovascular health. Hamer adds that retirement appeared to have a beneficial effect on physical activity levels.?

Source: American Heart Association

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