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PHYSIOLOGY

Linking volume and intensity of physical activity to mortality

Nature Medicine volume 26, pages 1332–1334 (2020)Cite this article

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In a study of 96,476 participants from the UK Biobank cohort who had their physical activity objectively measured by accelerometer, both the volume of physical activity and its intensity were associated with risk of mortality.

While there is a wealth of epidemiological evidence that higher levels of physical activity are associated with a lower risk of mortality and other adverse health outcomes1, the interrelationship between the volume and intensity of physical activity and mortality risk has been unclear. In this issue of Nature Medicine, Strain et al. demonstrate, in 96,476 participants from UK Biobank, that the overall physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and the proportion of this expenditure undertaken in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were both associated with the risk of mortality2.

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Fig. 1: Higher levels of physical activity are associated with a lower risk of mortality.

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  1. BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

    Jason M. R. Gill

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  1. Jason M. R. Gill
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Correspondence to Jason M. R. Gill.

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The author declares no competing interests.

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Gill, J.M.R. Linking volume and intensity of physical activity to mortality. Nat Med 26, 1332–1334 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-1019-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-1019-9

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