The Association of Sport and Exercise Activities With Cardiovascular Disease Risk: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2019

School

Health Professions

Abstract

Background: This study assessed the independent associations between participation in self-reported sport and exercise activities and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: Data were from 13,204 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study cohort (1987-2015). Baseline sport and exercise activities were assessed via the modified Baecke questionnaire. Incident CVD included coronary heart disease, heart failure, or stroke. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models assessed the association of participation in specific sport and exercise activities at enrollment with risk of CVD.

Results: During amedian follow-up time of 25.2 years, 30% of the analytic sample (n = 3966) was diagnosed with incident CVD. In fully adjusted models, participation in racquet sports (hazard ratio [HR] 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.93), aerobics (HR 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63-0.88), running (HR 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54-0.85), and walking (HR 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.95) was significantly associated with a lower risk of CVD. There were no significant associations for bicycling, softball/baseball, gymnastics, swimming, basketball, calisthenics exercises, golfing with cart, golfing with walking, bowling, or weight training. Conclusions: Participation in specific sport and exercises may substantially reduce the risk for CVD.

Publication Title

Journal of Physical Activity & Health

Volume

16

Issue

9

First Page

698

Last Page

705

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