Associations of Light, Moderate, and Vigorous Intensity Physical Activity with Longevity: The Harvard Alumni Health Study

Abstract

Physical activity is associated with better health; however, the optimal intensity of activity remains unclear. A total of 13, 485 men (mean age, 57.5 years) from the Harvard Alumni Health Study reported their walking, stair climbing, and sports/recreation in 1977. Between 1977 and 1992, 2, 539 died. After adjusting for the different activity components, distance walked and storeys climbed independently predicted longevity (p, trend = 0.004 and p, trend = 0.72, 0.07, and Am J Epidemiol 2000; 151: 293–9.