The inverse association between physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors appears to be partly mediated by biological risk factors
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The study’s aim was to examine the extent to which inflammatory/haemostatic factors (C-reactive protein and fibrinogen), metabolic factors, and hypertension mediate the association between physical activity and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. To this end, data from a UK representative sample of 7881 men and women, linked to a patient-based database of CVD hospital admissions and deaths, were collected. During an average follow-up period of 7.2 years, a total of 226 incident CVD events (including 64 deaths) occurred. The risk of CVD decreased in relation to physical activity level groups according to current recommendations. The lowest risk for CVD was observed in those subjects who met the recommendations through undertaking vigorous exercise, but being physically active below the guidelines was also protective. Biological risk factors collectively accounted for 39.4% of the cardioprotective effect of moderate physical activity and 22.6% of that of vigorous physical activity. Thus, participation in any physical activity, irrespective of meeting current intensity and duration guidelines, is associated with lower risk of CVD. The inverse association between physical activity and CVD risk appears to be partly mediated by biological risk factors.
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