journal · Public research summary
The effect of physical activity on mortality and cardiovascular disease in 130,000 people from 17 countries: the PURE study
Higher recreational and non-recreational activity were associated with lower mortality and cardiovascular events across the included economic settings.
Educational only. Associations do not establish individual risk or diagnosis. Read the original sources and limitations. Editorial review: 2026-10-06.
Citation
Lear et al. · The Lancet · 2017 · DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31634-3
Study design
Cohort study
Population
130,843 adults aged 35–70 without pre-existing cardiovascular disease; mean 6.9-year follow-up.
Geography
17 countries across high-, middle- and low-income settings
Finding
Higher recreational and non-recreational activity were associated with lower mortality and cardiovascular events across the included economic settings.
Estimate
Moderate vs low activity: all-cause mortality hazard ratio 0.80 (95% CI 0.74–0.87). Categories were based on self-reported MET-minutes/week.
Measured relationship
Reported activity → mortality and cardiovascular events; does not prove fitness mediated all of the association.
Limitations
Not randomised. Self-report, reverse causation and residual confounding matter. Selected communities do not represent every resident of a country or region.