Objectives: Although previous studies have investigated associations between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and various health outcomes, limited information is available on how meeting new governmental guidelines for physical activity have impacted the risk of mortality in Korean adults. This study aimed to examine the prospective association between meeting these guidelines and all-cause mortality over an 8-year follow-up using a large nationwide sample of middle-aged and older Koreans.
Methods: This prospective study was conducted based on the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Study participants were 9,177 adults aged ≥45 at baseline, with all participants followed-up every 2-year cycle during an 8-year period. The risk of mortality was analyzed via physical activity levels using the Cox proportional hazard models, with hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) estimated in Cox models.
Results: Statistical significance of MVPA on the reduced risk of mortality was observed when the participants met the guidelines (HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.58–0.81 vs. inactive group). Strong association of meeting recommended physical activity levels of guidelines and reduced risk of mortality was also found in non-smokers (HR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.51–0.76 vs. inactive group), but not in current smokers (HR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.67–1.29 vs. inactive group).
Conclusion: Meeting the physical activity guidelines for Korean adults was found to be associated with decreased the risk of all-cause mortality. The results also suggest that smoking weakens the protective effects of physical activity on reduced risk of mortality.