Intensity of Physical Activity and Risk for Death

Among people who engage in the same amount of physical activity weekly, is vigorous physical activity (versus moderate activity) associated with lower risk for death? To answer this question, researchers analyzed data collected from more than 400,000 U.S. residents (mean age, 43). Moderate physical activity was defined as activity that causes light sweating or slight increases in heart or breathing rates, and vigorous physical activity was defined as activity that causes heavy sweating or large increases in heart or breathing rates.

During mean follow-up of 10 years, 37,000 deaths occurred. One third of participants reported no moderate or vigorous activity. Compared with no activity, any moderate or vigorous activity was associated with low…