Even a low-dose of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reduces mortality by 22% in adults aged >/=60 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Question:

What amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity impacts mortality in adults 60 and older, and is it different than the recommended guidelines?

Conclusion:

A lower dose than the recommended 150+ minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous exercise reduced mortality in older adults compared to their inactive counterparts.

Process:

9 of 835 studies qualified for analysis
Study quality assessed by two reliable methods; studies only included if criteria met in both
Follow-up period of at least 3 years required

Analysis:

Exercise measured in MET-minutes, which is the amount of energy expenditure for the exercise per minute
“Doses” of exercise based on intensity, duration and frequency – divided into low, medium and high doses
Recommendation is 500-1000 MET-minutes per week (about 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise)

Results:

Compared to an inactive population, 60 and older:

22% lower mortality risk in the low dose moderate-to-vigorous activity group
28% lower mortality risk in the medium dose moderate-to-vigorous activity group
35% lower mortality risk in the high dose moderate-to-vigorous activity group
Greatest benefit seen in those who do little or no activity and increase

Other Information:

Much of the data analyzed came from two large studies, so there is some bias towards those populations and study methods
There isn’t guidance as to the minimum amount of activity required in the low dose group in the analysis in the range of 1-499 MET-minutes