Decline in Fitness Linked to Higher Risk of Dying in Veterans

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Decline in Fitness Linked to Higher Risk of Dying in Veterans

A decline in cardiorespiratory (heart and lung) fitness was linked to a higher risk of dying — regardless of participants’ starting fitness level — in a new study of U.S. military veterans published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Previous research has shown that physical activity is linked to longevity in a number of ways. A combination of weight training and aerobic exercise (cardio) has been shown to increase longevity by more than either form of activity by itself. But you don’t need to undergo a serious exercise routine to reap the longevity benefits of activity — even brief exercise sessions are linked to living longer. Exercising in short bursts of activity may contribute to longevity, and even vigorous activity that isn’t planned exercise — such as speed walking or quickly climbing stairs — may reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease and help you live longer. Of course, physical activity isn’t the only lifestyle factor linked to a longer life — healthy eating patterns may also help you live longer.

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For the latest study, researchers looked at the link between cardiorespiratory fitness — as measured by multiple assessments over time — and the risk of dying during a median follow-up period of 6.3 years. The participants were 93,060 veterans ages 30 to 95, all of whom completed two exercise treadmill tests at least a year apart — with an average of 5.8 years between these assessments. Participants were grouped in quartiles — four groups of equal size — based on their age-standardized fitness levels, and within each quartile, participants were also grouped based on whether they saw an increase, decrease, or no change in fitness from the first to the second assessment.

Decreased fitness linked to increased risk of dying in veterans

During the follow-up period, 18,302 participants (19.7%) died. The average yearly mortality rate was 27.6 for every 1,000 years of life. In general, the researchers found that changes in cardiorespiratory fitness were linked to an increased or decreased risk of dying — with a decrease in fitness increasing the risk of dying, and an increase in fitness reducing this risk — regardless of participants’ starting fitness level. As an example, a decrease in fitness of 2.0 METS (metabolic equivalents) or more was linked to a 74% higher risk of dying during the follow-up period for low-fitness participants with cardiovascular disease, and a similar 69% higher risk of dying for participants without cardiovascular disease.

The researchers concluded that changes in cardiorespiratory fitness were linked to the risk of dying regardless of starting fitness level or cardiovascular disease status. “The impact of relatively small [cardiorespiratory fitness] changes on mortality risk has considerable clinical and public health significance,” they wrote.

Want to learn more about exercising with diabetes? Read “Exercise for Beginners,” “Add Movement to Your Life,” “Picking the Right Activity to Meet Your Fitness Goals” and “Seven Ways to Have Fun Exercising.”

Quinn Phillips

Quinn Phillips

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A freelance health writer and editor based in Wisconsin, Phillips has a degree from Harvard University. He is a former Editorial Assistant for Diabetes Self-Management and has years of experience covering diabetes and related health conditions. Phillips writes on a variety of topics, but is especially interested in the intersection of health and public policy.

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