Replacing Sitting with Physical Activity Linked to Longevity

A prospective US cohort study showed that replacement of 30 minutes/day of sitting with light physical activity (LPA) or moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was associated with lower mortality riskamong less active adults. The study included 37,924 men and 54,617 women, of which 14,415 men and 13,358 women died during follow-up (1999–2014). Among the least active participants (≤17minutes/day MVPA), the replacement of 30 minutes/day sitting with LPA or MVPA was associated with a 14% or 45% mortality risk reduction, respectively. Similar associations were seen among moderately active participants (LPA or MVPA replacement with a 6% or 17% mortality risk reduction, respectively). However, for the most active (MVPA >38 minutes/day), substitution of sitting time with LPA or MVPA was not associated with a reduction in mortality risk. The findings suggest that older adults may benefit more from the replacement of sitting time with LPA. LPA may be more attainable for older adults. Source: https://www.ajpmonline.org/