Association between physical activity levels and stroke incidence in middle-aged and older populations: a...

In the middle-aged and older population, the association between different levels of physical activity and the risk of stroke remains unclear.

Data were sourced from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. A cross-sectional analysis of risk factors for stroke incidence in the middle-aged and older population was conducted. Mendelian randomisation analyses, conducted using European population data, were utilised to assess causality between physical activity and the reduction of stroke risk.

A total of 1368 (7.05%) participants developed stroke among the 19,395 participants. The incidence of stroke was higher among participants aged ≥65 years (OR 1.049, 95% CI 1.043-1.055, P < 0.001), those married but separated (OR 2.004, 95% CI 1.091-3.683, P = 0.025) and widowed individuals (OR 1.669, 95% CI 1.452-1.919, P < 0.001). After adjusting for marital status and education level, being aged ≥ 65 years (OR 2.398, 95% CI 2.139-2.668, P < 0.001) was associated with an increased risk of stroke incidence. Being female (OR 0.834, 95% CI 0.746-0.933, P ＝ 0.001) was associated with a decreased risk of stroke incidence. Additionally, moderate-intensity physical activity (OR 0.755, 95% CI 0.652-0.874, P < 0.001) and high-intensity physical activity (OR 0.498, 95% CI 0.433-0.572, P < 0.001) were also associated with a reduced risk of stroke incidence. The Mendelian randomisation analyses, leveraging the inverse variance weighted method, unveiled substantial causal links between physical activity and stroke risk.

Engaging in moderate physical activity could lower the risk of stroke. Additionally, being female, having higher levels of education and enjoying a satisfying family life may also contribute to reducing the risk of stroke incidence.