Men who maintain or improve their cardiorespiratory fitness have lower mortality risks than those who become less fit — regardless of changes in BMI — a Circulation study finds.

Some 14,000 men underwent clinical exams at baseline (mean age, 44) and again roughly 6 years later. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured in metabolic equivalents (METs) during both exams, and mortality was assessed until 11 years after the last examination.

Among the findings:

• Maintaining or improving cardiorespiratory fitness between the two exams conferred lower mortality risk, even after controlling for BMI changes.
• For each 1-MET increase in fitness, the risks for all-cause and CVD mortality dropped by 15% and 19%, respectively.
• BMI changes did not independently predict mortality.

The authors conclude: “The long-term effect of fitness change, primarily resulting from increasing physical activity, is likely to be at least as important as weight loss for reducing premature mortality.”

source: circulation