Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyMeta-analysis
Physical activity, atrial fibrillation and the dose-response relationship: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- systematic review and meta-analysis
- weighted random-effects model
- weighted restricted cubic spline model of logarithmic odds
Authors' conclusion
PA and AF demonstrate a U-shaped relationship whereby beyond a quantitative dose threshold of 78 MET-hr/wk, the protective effect of exercise may reverse.
Study context
- Population
- Studies reporting physical activity (PA) exposure compared against a sedentary control group and assessing atrial fibrillation (AF) incidence or prevalenceindividuals in 37 studies · Dose-response analysis (26 studies) 1,022,790
- Participants
- 1,298,291 participants
- Comparison
- PA exposure compared against a sedentary control group
Pooled result
AF, general population
Odds ratio
0.78
95% CI 0.68–0.89
PA vs sedentary control group
OR 0.78 (95% CI 0.68–0.89)
As reported in the abstract
Further pooled results
| Outcome | OR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| AF, athlete status · 15 studies; increase in the odds of AF | 2.74 (1.72–4.39) | |
| 0.20.5125Odds ratio (log scale) |
Dose-response of PA and AF
- Dose associated with greatest reduction in odds of AF
- 26 MET-hr/wk
- Doses beyond which increased odds of AF
- 78 MET-hr/wk
- Equivalent endurance training
- 6-7 hours per week
- 26 studies; n = 1,022,790 individuals
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
Physical activity, atrial fibrillation and the dose-response relationship: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 12 October 2026. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwag535
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it