WALKING, CYCLING, OR GARDENING, WITH OR WITHOUT SEASONAL INTERRUPTION, IN RELATION TO ACUTE CORONARY EVENTS

The case-referent study reported here investigates the relationship between acute coronary events (ACE) and sustained light physical exercise, mainly leisure-time walking, cycling, or gardening (WCG). These activities are classified as habitual WCG (<8 months/year), seasonal WCG (4-8 months), or occasional WCG (>4 months), each category being further sub divided according to the number of hours a week: >4 hours, 4-7 hours, or <7 hours. A significant negative association is found between ACE and habitual WCG. No such relationship is evident between ACE and seasonal WCG, however, seasonal WCG being equally frequent (27%) in both cases and referents. These observations may indicate that any effect on the incidence of acute coronary events that is caused by walking, cycling, or gardening is neutralized if these activities are interrupted for several months of the year. The negative association between habitual WCG and ACE does not depend on the number of hours a week devoted to WCG and is not enhanced by more vigorous additional exercise. The fatality of ACE (death rate within 4 weeks) is significantly higher in the least active group (WCG >4 months/year). © 1979 by The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.