­Study Compares Specific Types of Exercise for Lowering Mortality

Participating in swimming, racquet sports, and aerobics can significantly reduce the risk of mortality related to all causes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in middle-aged and older adults, according to a new study.

It is well known that exercise has a multitude of health benefits. However, little research is available on the long-term effects of specific sport disciplines on all-cause and CVD-related mortality risk.
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To conduct their study, the researchers analyzed the data from 11 annual health surveys in England and Scotland from 1994 to 2008. They assessed the data of 80,306 survey respondents who had answered questions about physical activities they had participated in and the types of sports they participated in within the previous month.

After 9 years, 8790 participants had died, 1909 of whom had died from heart disease or stroke.

Overall, all-cause mortality risk was significantly reduced in those who had participated in racquet sports (47%), swimming (28%), aerobics (27%), and cycling (15%), compared with those who did not exercise.

Also, swimming, racquet sports, and aerobics significantly reduced CVD-related mortality risk, but cycling, running, and football did not.

“These findings demonstrate that participation in specific sports may have significant benefits for public health,” the researchers concluded. “Future research should aim to further strengthen the sport-specific epidemiological evidence base and understanding of how to promote greater sports participation.”

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Oja P, Kelly P, Pedisic Z, et al. Associations of specific types of sports and exercise with all-cause and cardiovascular-disease mortality: a cohort study of 80 306 British adults [published online November 28, 2016]. Br J Sports Med. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096822.