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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
05:59
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Physical activity and mortality: a prospective study among women
B Rockhill1, W C Willett, J E Manson
1Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, 181 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA. beverly.rockhill@channing.harvard.edu
American Journal of Public Health
|April 9, 2001
Summary
Regular physical activity in older women is linked to lower mortality risk, with significant reductions observed for cardiovascular and respiratory causes. While some association may be indirect, the health benefits of exercise are substantial.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Gerontology
Background:
- Recreational physical activity is a key factor in maintaining health in aging populations.
- Understanding the relationship between physical activity and mortality is crucial for public health interventions.
- Physical activity may serve as a marker for underlying health status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between recreational physical activity and mortality risk in middle-aged and older women.
- To determine if physical activity is an indicator of overall health.
- To quantify the risk reduction associated with different levels of physical activity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the Nurses' Health Study.
- Assessment of physical activity levels via questionnaires updated biennially.
- Inclusion of middle-aged and older women participants.
Main Results:
- Inverse association found between physical activity levels and mortality risk.
- Each increment in physical activity demonstrated a 20%-30% risk reduction.
- Stronger inverse associations observed for cardiovascular and respiratory deaths compared to cancer deaths.
- Poor health limiting physical activity was more common in women who died from noncardiovascular, noncancer causes.
Conclusions:
- A portion of the physical activity-mortality link is likely spurious and difficult to isolate.
- Epidemiological evidence strongly suggests that physical activity confers real health benefits.
- Promoting physical activity is likely to reduce mortality risk in older women.
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