Low physical activity – second deadliest death risk for men

A new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology says that in middle-aged men low physical activity is a risk for death second only to smoking.

Lead author Per Ladenvall of the University of Gothenburg said, ‘The benefits of being physically active over a lifetime are clear. Low physical capacity is a greater risk for death than high blood pressure or high cholesterol.’

Ladenvall concluded this after some complex calculations involving 656 men who did a maximum exercise test in which they pushed themselves to the limit and measuring their VO2 max levels.

VO2 max is a measure of aerobic capacity and the higher the figure, the more physically fit a person is.

Ladenvall further said, ‘We have come a long way in reducing smoking. The next major challenge is to keep us physically active and also to reduce physical inactivity, such as prolonged sitting.’

The only way to overcome this risk is to get active!