| Title: | Data from the UK Biobank demonstrates that increased brief, sporadic moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reduces mortality |
| Journal: | Communications Medicine |
| Published: | 1 Apr 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41922483/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-026-01421-z |
| URL: | https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-026-01421-z_reference.pdf |
Publication 18130
WARNING: the interactive features of this website use CSS3, which your browser does not support. To use the full features of this website, please update your browser.
Abstract
BackgroundCurrent physical activity guidelines recommend 150-300 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) to improve health. However, whether brief, sporadic MVPA can be included within this recommended dose remains unclear.MethodsIn a cohort study, we analyzed data from 96,054 UK Biobank participants whose MVPA was objectively measured by accelerometers at baseline between 2013 and 2016. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, with follow-up through 2022. A machine learning algorithm, trained on ground-truth camera data, was employed to differentiate between sporadic and bouted MVPA.ResultsDuring a follow-up period of 8.0 years, 3586 deaths and 4948 incident cardiovascular disease events are identified. Compared to the least active individuals (65 min/week of sporadic MVPA at 10th percentile), those accumulating 150 and 300 min/week of sporadic MVPA have 48% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 44% to 52%) and 50% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 41% to 57%) lower all-cause mortality, respectively. For bouted MVPA, compared to the least active individuals (38 min/week of bouted at 10th percentile), those accumulating 150 and 300 min/week of bouted MVPA have 33% (95% CI: 29% to 37%) and 49% (95% CI: 44% to 53%) lower all-cause mortality, respectively. In joint analysis, optimal health benefits are observed in individuals who incorporated both bouted and sporadic MVPA, rather than merely accumulating additional sporadic MVPA beyond 150 min/week.ConclusionsIn conclusion, meeting the minimum physical activity recommendation through accumulating brief, sporadic MVPA is supported. Incorporating bouted MVPA, rather than accumulating additional sporadic MVPA beyond 150 min/week, may confer further health benefits.</p>
11 Authors
- Yihui Cai
- Tongyu Ma
- John Sirard
- Yao Jie Xie
- Qingling Yang
- Chong-Do Lee
- Xiuyuan Wang
- Xiao Liang
- Ye Li
- Jianbo Lei
- Marco YC Pang
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 85118 | Time-of-day physical activity and health outcomes |
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health