Coronary artery calcification and high-volume physical activity: role of lower intensity vs. longer duration of exercise
Authors' conclusion
Elevated CAC was associated with lower average intensity and longer duration of PA in men, providing new insight into the complex relationship between leisure-time PA behaviours and risk of CAC.
Study context
- Population
- Apparently healthy men who completed a physical activity (PA) questionnaire and underwent coronary artery calcification (CAC) scanning at a preventive examination
- Participants
- 23,383 men
- Exposure
- Average intensity vs Weekly duration
- Outcome
- Mean CAC and CAC ≥ 100 AU
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
CAC by PA intensity and duration
Average intensityMean CAC change, %/MET (95% CI)
Higher intensity, lower mean CAC
−3.1(−4.6 to −1.6)
Average intensityRelative risk, /MET (95% CI)
CAC ≥ 100 AU
0.99(0.98–1.00)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Cohort CAC
- Mean CAC, Agatston units (AU) (SD 543.6)
- 174.8
- CAC ≥ 100 AU
- 23.5%
- Mean age, years (SD 8.3)
- 51.7
Original publication
Coronary artery calcification and high-volume physical activity: role of lower intensity vs. longer duration of exercise. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 23 April 2024. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it