Physical work causes those affected to die up to 27 percent more often. In contrast, sport in leisure time keeps people healthy and saves lives. This is the result of a Danish observational study with around 100,000 participants, which was published today in the “European Heart Journal”.
The study included 104,046 men and women between the ages of 20 and 100 years. Within ten years of observation, a total of 9,846 deaths (9.5 percent mortality) from all possible causes were recorded in the observed group of people. At the same time, 7,913 serious cardiovascular diseases occurred.
Physical activity level is crucial
Compared to less physical activity, moderate physical activity already showed a 26 percent reduction in the death rate. With high intensity of physical activity, the total mortality fell by 41 percent, with very high intensity by 40 percent.
On the other hand, the total mortality increased by 13 percent and 27 percent, respectively, compared to low physical stress at work with high or very high intensity.
Not all activities are the same
The situation was very similar for cardiovascular deaths and problems. Compared to little physical exertion, even moderate physical exertion led to 14 percent fewer acute cardiovascular incidents. With medium intensity, the frequency was reduced by 23 percent, with very high stress by 15 percent.
On the other hand, the frequency of such acute cardiovascular diseases or deaths increased by 15 percent during high physical stress at work (compared to low activity). Very high physical exertion increased the incidence of illness and the number of deaths by as much as 35 percent.
“Many people with manual jobs believe that they will get or stay fit through their work – and then freak out at home. Our work indicates that this is not the case, ”said study author Andreas Holtermann.
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