BMJ-published study unveils link involving recommended physical activity, health

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 -- Are you aware that more engagement in physical activities shows greatly reduced risk of mortality?

Recently, a paper on physical activity and human health was published in the top international medical journal-British Medical Journal (Impact Factor: 30.223) by Prof Bo Xi from the School of Public Health of Shandong University.

Dr Min Zhao is the first author, and Shandong University, the first author affiliation. 

The publication of the paper was with the cooperation of Dr Sreenivas P. Veeranki from the University of Texas Medical Branch, USA and Dr Costan G. Magnussen (University of Tasmania, Australia).

According to a statement, previous studies showed physical inactivity was a major risk factor for chronic non-communicable diseases worldwide.

Although physical inactivity has been estimated to be responsible for nine per cent of premature death and US$53.8 billion in health costs, it is still a worldwide public health problem. (US$1=RM4.221)

Based on data from 479,856 adults aged 18 and above, with almost nine years of follow-up, Xi et al found that compared with participants not meeting the physical activity guidelines, the risk of all-cause mortality was 11 per cent lower in those engaging in recommended muscle-strengthening activity.

In addition, adults who engaged in recommended physical activity were at reduced risk of mortality from, among others, cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory tract diseases, influenza and pneumonia, nephritis and Alzheimer’s disease.

The study was supported by the Innovation Team of the ‘Climbing’ Program of Shandong University, Youth Team of Humanistic and Social Science of Shandong University, and a National Heart Foundation of Australia's future leader fellowship.

-- BERNAMA