The association between physical activity and risk of mortality is modulated by grip strength and cardiorespiratory fitness: evidence from 498 135 UK-Biobank participants

Celis-Morales, C. A. , Lyall, D. M. , Anderson, J. , Iliodromiti, S., Fan, Y., Ntuk, U. E., Mackay, D. F. , Pell, J. P. , Sattar, N. and Gill, J. M.R. (2017) The association between physical activity and risk of mortality is modulated by grip strength and cardiorespiratory fitness: evidence from 498 135 UK-Biobank participants. European Heart Journal, 38(2), pp. 116-122. (doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehw249) (PMID:28158566) (PMCID:PMC5837781)

Abstract

Aims: It is unclear whether the potential benefits of physical activity differ according to level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) or strength. The aim of this study was to determine whether the association between physical activity and mortality is moderated by CRF and grip strength sufficiently to inform health promotion strategies. Methods and results: 498 135 participants (54.7% women) from the UK Biobank were included (CRF data available in 67 702 participants). Exposure variables were grip strength, CRF, and physical activity. All-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events were the outcomes. 8591 died over median 4.9 years [IQR 4.3–5.5] follow-up. There was a significant interaction between total physical activity and grip strength (P < 0.0001) whereby the higher hazard of mortality associated with lower physical activity was greatest among participants in the lowest tertile for grip strength (hazard ratio, HR:1.11 [95% CI 1.09–1.14]) and lowest among those in the highest grip strength tertile (HR:1.04 [1.01–1.08]). The interaction with CRF did not reach statistical significance but the pattern was similar. The association between physical activity and mortality was larger among those in the lowest tertile of CRF (HR:1.13 [1.02–1.26]) than those in the highest (HR:1.03 [0.91–1.16]). The pattern for CVD events was similar. Conclusions: These data provide novel evidence that strength, and possibly CRF, moderate the association between physical activity and mortality. The association between physical activity and mortality is strongest in those with the lowest strength (which is easily measured), and the lowest CRF, suggesting that these sub-groups could benefit most from interventions to increase physical activity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gill, Professor Jason and Anderson, Dr Jana and Mackay, Professor Daniel and Ntuk, Uduakobong Efanga and Celis, Dr Carlos and Iliodromiti, Dr Stamatina and Pell, Professor Jill and Sattar, Professor Naveed and Lyall, Dr Donald
• Authors: Celis-Morales, C. A., Lyall, D. M., Anderson, J., Iliodromiti, S., Fan, Y., Ntuk, U. E., Mackay, D. F., Pell, J. P., Sattar, N., and Gill, J. M.R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: European Heart Journal
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0195-668X
• ISSN (Online): 1522-9645
• Published Online: 06 July 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Oxford University Press
• First Published: First published in European Heart Journal 38(2): 116-122
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

Related URLs

• University News