Exercise to Stay Alive

Summary

New evidence demonstrates exercise capacity is an important predictor of survival in men, with and without cardiovascular disease. The study followed 6213 men for an average of six years, by which time 1256 had died. Those who were least fit (in the bottom 25%) were four times more likely to die than the fittest men (in the top 25%), whether they had cardiovascular disease or not. Patients who are less active can improve survival by increasing their level of physical activity. Improvements in fitness of 15 to 30% within three to six months can be achieved with regular exercise. Specific recommendations from some quarters are that all adults engage in moderately intense physical activity for at least 30 minutes on most (if not all) days of the week.
Balady G. N Engl J Med 346:862-4, 14 Mar 2002

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