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Physical activity (PA) may delay the onset of age‐related diseases by decelerating biological aging. We investigated the association between leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA) and metabolomics‐based aging markers (MetaboAge and MetaboHealth) in late midlife and during 16 years of follow‐up. At the 16‐year follow‐up, we also investigated the association between device‐based PA and MetaboAge and MetaboHealth. We included 1816 individuals (mean age 61.6 years) from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study at baseline and followed them up for 5 (n = 982) and 16 years (n = 744), respectively. LTPA was assessed via questionnaire at baseline and 16 years later and device‐based PA with ActiGraph accelerometer at the 16‐year follow‐up. Fasting blood samples were applied to calculate MetaboAge acceleration (ΔmetaboAge) and MetaboHealth at baseline and at both follow‐ups. Covariate‐adjusted multiple regression analyses and linear mixed models were applied to study the associations. A higher volume of LTPA at baseline was associated with a lower MetaboHealth score at the 5‐year follow‐up (p < 0.0001 for time × LTPA interaction). No associations were detected at the 16‐year follow‐up. An increase in LTPA over 16 years was associated with a decrease in MetaboHealth score (p < 0.001) and a decrease in LTPA with an increase in MetaboHealth score. Higher device‐based PA was associated with a lower MetaboHealth score, but not with ΔmetaboAge. In conclusion, higher LTPA in late midlife and device‐based PA in old age were associated with improved MetaboHealth. Increasing LTPA with age may protect against MetaboHealth‐based aging. The results support the importance of PA for biological aging in later life. PA may delay the onset of age‐related diseases by decelerating biological aging. We found that higher self‐reported amounts of PA in late midlife and device‐based PA in old age were associated with improved MetaboHealth and that reaching twice the amount of the current PA recommendations in late midlife may lead to decelerated biological aging. In addition, increasing LTPA from late midlife to old age may protect against metabolomics‐based biological aging.

Background There are no data on the association between leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA) and sarcopenia in older adults from low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to investigate the association between LTPA and sarcopenia in individuals aged ≥65 years living in six LMICs. Methods Cross‐sectional data from the Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa) were analysed. Sarcopenia referred to the presence of both low skeletal muscle mass and weak handgrip strength. LTPA was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and was analysed as a dichotomized variable [high LTPA (>150 min/week of moderate‐to‐vigorous LTPA) or low LTPA (≤150 min/week)]. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess associations. Results There were 14 585 individuals included in this study [mean (SD) age 72.6 (11.5) years; 55.0% women]. The prevalence of high LTPA and sarcopenia was 8.9% and 12.0%, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, low LTPA was significantly associated with higher odds for sarcopenia [prevalence odds ratio (POR) = 1.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.29–2.65] compared with high LTPA. Significant associations were found in women (POR = 3.22, 95% CI = 1.82–5.68) but not in men (POR = 1.52, 95% CI = 0.99–2.35). Conclusions A positive and significant association between low LTPA and sarcopenia was found among older adults from LMICs. The promotion of LTPA among older adults in LMICs may aid in the prevention of sarcopenia, especially among females, pending future longitudinal research.

Leisure‐time physical activity has consistently been associated with better mental health. However, evidence on active commuting and occupational physical activity is less conclusive. We examined cross‐sectional associations of domain‐specific physical activity with depressive symptoms and psychological distress among Finnish employed adults. We included 3439 adults (mean age 45.0 years; 51% female) from the FinHealth 2017 Study. Based on commuting, occupational and leisure‐time physical activity behaviour, participants were categorised as passive or active commuters; sedentary, lightly active or moderately/highly active workers; and sedentary, recreationally active or exercisers/athletes, respectively. Daily active commuting volumes were also assessed. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios, with models adjusted for key covariates. High volumes of active commuting (≥ 30 min a day) were associated with higher odds of depressive symptoms (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.18–2.13), whereas no associations were observed for lower active commuting volumes or when active commuting was analysed as a binary variable. Regarding occupational physical activity, lightly active workers were less likely to experience psychological distress (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.40–0.97) compared to sedentary workers, whereas no associations were observed for moderately or highly active workers. Regarding leisure‐time physical activity, exercisers and athletes had lower odds of depressive symptoms (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.32–0.61) and psychological distress (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.21–0.55) compared to sedentary individuals, as did recreationally active adults. Leisure‐time and light occupational physical activity, but not active commuting, were associated with fewer mental health symptoms. Potential mental health benefits of physical activity may be domain‐ and volume‐specific. Highlights High volumes of active commuting were associated with more depressive symptoms, whereas light occupational physical activity was associated with less psychological distress. Engaging in recreational activities, exercise and sports was linked to better mental health. Mental health outcomes of physical activity may be domain‐ and volume‐specific and promoting leisure‐time physical activity might enhance mental health among employed adults.

Although occupational sitting time has been associated with adverse health outcomes and mortality, the association with cancer incidence remains unknown. This study investigated the association between occupational sitting time and risk of total and site‐specific cancer in a Japanese population. We evaluated 33 307 participants aged 50‐79 years who responded to a questionnaire in 2000‐2003 in the Japan Public Health Center‐based Prospective Study and were followed until 2013. Participants were grouped by sitting time at work. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of cancer incidence were calculated with adjustment for potential confounders including moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity. During 10.2 years of follow‐up, 3807 newly diagnosed cases of cancer were identified. Occupational sitting time was marginally associated with total cancer, with multivariable HRs for the ≥7 h/d vs 1 to <3 h/d category of 1.12 (95% CI, 0.99‐1.26; P for trend = .071) in men, but not women. Among findings for cancers at specific sites, long occupational sitting time was associated with increased risk of pancreas cancer, with multivariable HRs for the ≥7 h/d vs 1 to <3 h/d category of 2.25 (95% CI, 1.17‐4.34; P for trend = .021) in men, and lung cancer, with multivariable HRs for the ≥7 h/d vs 1 to <3 h/d category of 2.80 (95% CI, 1.33‐5.90; P for trend = .013) in women. Extended sitting time at work was associated with an increased risk of pancreas cancer in men and lung cancer in women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between occupational sitting time and risk of total and site‐specific cancer in a Japanese population. Extended sitting time at work was associated with an increased risk of pancreas cancer in men and lung cancer in women.

An active lifestyle elicits many health benefits. This study’s aim is to understand the actual of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) of female university students in Korea who are experiencing stress due to, e.g., study and employment. LTPA is the degree of exercise participation in leisure time; it is cardiovascular and strength-based behavior occurring within recreation, exercise or sport and provides a positive effect on life satisfaction and psychological well-being. LTPA has been recommended as a method of reducing menstrual symptom severity. However, a lack of evidence exists to support a clear relationship between LTPA and menstruation in female university students. Health consciousness (HC) refers to the degree of interest in one’s health, and Korean female university students pay considerable attention to their body shape, diet habits, and LTPA. This study investigated female university students (K University in Gangwon-do, D University in Busan, and U University in Ulsan) in three metropolitan cities in Korea. Specifically, after seeking cooperation from the person in charge of each university, the purpose of this study was explained. In addition, after promising to provide coffee coupons to students who wish to respond to the survey, cooperation was sought in recruiting research subjects through the person in charge of each university. In addition, a total of 36 surveys that did not have contents filled in fully or gave inconsistent answers were excluded among all survey participants. Chi-square test, t-test and univariate one-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis were performed for between groups (HC, LTPA, intention to participate in LTPA). The LTPA results in relation to the menstruation patterns of Korean female college students are shown. First, there were no significant differences between menstruation (regular vs. irregular) and general LTPA during non-menstrual time periods (χ2 = 5.828, p < 0.212). However, female university students with regular menstruation patterns had higher LTPA after menstruation compared to female university students with irregular menstruation. Second, there were significant differences in the relationships among HC (p = 0.000), amount of LTPA (p = 0.002), and intention to perform LTPA (p = 0.002), according to the menstruation patterns (regular vs. irregular) of Korean female university students. In other words, those with regular menstruation patterns showed higher HC, amount of LTPA and intention to participate in LTPA than those with irregular menstruations. Third, there were significant differences in the relationship among HC (p = 0.000), amount of LTPA (p = 0.000), and intention to participate in LTPA (p = 0.000) according to LTPA of Korean female university students. Causation cannot be inferred from correlational studies. Therefore, female university students ultimately have different HC and participation in LTPA depending on menstruation regularity.

Emerging evidence highlights the gut microbiome's role in hypertension via microbial metabolites and endothelial dysfunction, while the Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (DI‐GM) quantifies diet quality for microbiota health. In addition, leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA) also reduces blood pressure, but their combined impact on population‐level hypertension remains unclear. Therefore, this study explores the individual and joint effects of DI‐GM and LTPA on hypertension risk. To address this objective, we conducted a cross‐sectional study analysis of data from 27,643 adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2007–2020). Excluding individuals with incomplete data, key variables included the DI‐GM and LTPA pattern (categorized by intensity, frequency, and regularity; regularly active defined as > 2 days/week). Weighted logistic regression models and restricted cubic splines (RCS) evaluated independent, joint, and non‐linear associations of DI‐GM and LTPA with hypertension, adjusting for covariates. The results showed that higher DI‐GM scores and greater weekly LTPA were inversely correlated with hypertension risk, exhibiting dose‐dependent patterns (16% lower odds for DI‐GM ≥ 6 vs. lowest groups; 16%–24% lower odds for LTPA (≥ 150 min/week) vs. lowest groups). RCS analysis showed a linear inverse dose–response relationship between DI‐GM and hypertension. The regularly active LTPA pattern (> 2 days/week) was linked to a 24% lower risk of hypertension (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.69–0.84), and there was also a significant association observed for the weekend warrior LTPA pattern (1–2 days/week) (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.64–0.99). Notably, joint analysis demonstrated that individuals with DI‐GM > 4 scores and LTPA ≥ 150 min/week or regularly LTPA pattern exhibited the lowest hypertension odds. In conclusion, both a high DI‐GM score (≥ 6 points) and sufficient LTPA (≥ 150 min/week) were independently associated with reduced odds of hypertension, with their combined effect amplifying protective benefits. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm temporality and causal pathways. Joint associations of dietary index for gut microbiota and leisure‐time physical activity with hypertension risk in U.S. adults.

Objective To examine whether the cross‐sectional association of leisure‐time physical activity and walking during commuting to work with depressive symptoms depends on the level of work‐related physical activity among Japanese workers. Methods Participants were 2024 workers aged 19‐69 years in two manufacturing companies in Japan. Leisure‐time physical activity and walking during commuting to work were ascertained via a self‐administered questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES‐D) scale. The odds ratio (OR) of depressive symptoms (CES‐D score ≥16) was estimated by using multiple logistic regression with adjustment for covariates. Results Leisure‐time physical activity was inversely associated with depressive symptoms; multivariable‐adjusted ORs (95% confidence intervals) of having depressive symptoms for leisure‐time physical activity were 1.00 (reference), 0.85 (0.64, 1.12), 0.69 (0.51, 0.94), and 0.59 (0.44, 0.80) for 0, >0 to <3.0, 3.0 to <10.0, and ≥10.0 MET‐h/wk, respectively (P for trend <.001). This inverse trend for leisure‐time physical activity was clearer among individuals who had low physical activity at workplace (less than 7.0 MET‐h/d). For walking to work, such an inverse association was not observed. Conclusion Leisure‐time physical activity was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, especially in workers with low work‐related physical activity.

Metabolic syndrome, variously known also as syndrome X, insulin resistance, etc., is defined by WHO as a pathologic condition characterized by abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Though there is some variation in the definition by other health care organization, the differences are minor. With the successful conquest of communicable infectious diseases in most of the world, this new non-communicable disease (NCD) has become the major health hazard of modern world. Though it started in the Western world, with the spread of the Western lifestyle across the globe, it has become now a truly global problem. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is often more in the urban population of some developing countries than in its Western counterparts. The two basic forces spreading this malady are the increase in consumption of high calorie-low fiber fast food and the decrease in physical activity due to mechanized transportations and sedentary form of leisure time activities. The syndrome feeds into the spread of the diseases like type 2 diabetes, coronary diseases, stroke, and other disabilities. The total cost of the malady including the cost of health care and loss of potential economic activity is in trillions. The present trend is not sustainable unless a magic cure is found (unlikely) or concerted global/governmental/societal efforts are made to change the lifestyle that is promoting it. There are certainly some elements in the causation of the metabolic syndrome that cannot be changed but many are amenable for corrections and curtailments. For example, better urban planning to encourage active lifestyle, subsidizing consumption of whole grains and possible taxing high calorie snacks, restricting media advertisement of unhealthy food, etc. Revitalizing old fashion healthier lifestyle, promoting old-fashioned foods using healthy herbs rather than oil and sugar, and educating people about choosing healthy/wholesome food over junks are among the steps that can be considered.

Background: There are conflicting data about the health benefits of moderately intense physical activity. Objectives: To examine the effect of such activity on all cause mortality in a German sample of men and women. Methods: Physical activity during leisure time of 3742 men and 3445 women aged 30 to 69 was assessed in a baseline questionnaire from 1984 to 1986. The participants were observed during the follow up period until 1998 when a mortality follow up was conducted. Results: During the follow up period, 300 women and 643 men had died. The multivariate rate ratios (RR) for the volume of lifestyle activities of moderate intensity (for example, gardening, walking, cycling) compared with sedentary lifestyle showed a clearly protective dose–response relation (p for trend <0.001) in women but not in men (p for trend 0.20). Following the recommendation for health enhancing physical activity a second analysis was conducted; 2.5 hours per week taking part in physical activity of moderate intensity decreased the relative risk of overall mortality (0.65 (95% confidence interval, 0.51 to 0.82) and 0.90 (0.77 to 1.01) for women and men, respectively). Conclusions: The volume of lifestyle activities of moderate intensity in leisure time was inversely associated with all cause mortality in women but not in men. With regard to the health enhancing physical activity recommendation as a threshold, there were favourable findings only in women.

Background and objective Physical activity has benefits for the cardiovascular system, however, what levels and types of activity provide optimal cardiovascular health is unclear. We aimed to determine the level of physical activity that has the most benefits against cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Methods PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for prospective cohort studies on leisure-time (LTPA) or occupational physical activity (OPA) as the exposure and major types of CVD (total CVD, coronary heart disease [CHD], stroke, and atrial fibrillation [AF]) incidence as the outcome. Risk of bias of studies was evaluated using the ROBINS-I tool. Summary hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using random-effects pairwise model. Results A total of 103 studies were included in the analysis. The highest versus the lowest LTPA was associated with a lower risk of overall CVD (HR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.77–0.86), CHD (HR = 0.83; 0.79–0.88), and stroke (HR = 0.83; 0.79–0.88), but not AF (HR = 0.98; 0.92–1.05). Linear dose-response analyses showed a 10%, 12%, 9%, and 8% risk reduction in CVD, CHD, stroke, and AF incidence, respectively, for every 20 MET-hours/week increase in LTPA. In nonlinear dose-response analyses, there were inverse associations up to 20 MET-hours/week with 19% and 20% reduction in CVD and CHD risk, and up to 25 MET-hours/week with 22% reduction in stroke, with no further risk reduction at higher LTPA levels. For AF, there was a U-shaped nonlinear association with the maximum 8% risk reduction at 10 MET-hours/week of LTPA. Higher levels of OPA were not associated with risk of CVD, CHD, stroke, or AF. Conclusions Overall, results showed an inverse dose-response relationship between LTPA and risk of CVD, CHD, stroke, and AF. Running was the most beneficial LTPA but the risk was similar among various LTPA intensities. OPA showed no benefits in total or any type of CVD.