WASHINGTON - A study led by Peter Kokkinos, Ph.D., Director of the Exercise Testing and Research Lab at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, DC, recently found that increased moderate exercise reduces the risk of death in men.

That is the principal conclusion reported in the January 22 issue of Circulation, the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Kokkinos and his team of researchers studied 15,650 Caucasian and African-American male veterans over an average of 7.5 years. Their goal was to study the effects of exercise to determine if it could be a predictor of death rates for these veterans and to find out whether racial differences affect the risk of death.

Veterans were evaluated by a standardized treadmill test to assess exercise capacity. Researchers divided the participants into four fitness levels (low, moderate, highly, and very highly fit) based on their performance on the treadmill test.

The study found that "highly fit" men had half the death risk compared to "low fit" men. Men classified as "very highly fit" had a 70 percent lower risk of death compared to the men identified as "low fit."

According to Kokkinos, these findings are important for several reasons. "First, we were able to quantify the health benefits per unit increase in exercise capacity. Second, this is the first study to provide information on physical activity and death rates in African- Americans, information lacking until now."

The study indicated that outcomes for African-American males are improved by increased, moderate exercise. This is good news, as mortality rates are generally higher among African-American males of low income.

Kokkinos emphasized that it takes "relatively moderate" levels of physical activity-like brisk walking-to gain the associated health benefits. "One does not need to be a marathon runner. This is the message we need to convey to the public."

Kokkinos indicated that most middle-age and older men can attain fitness levels with a brisk walk, 30 minutes a day 5-6 days a week. "I do not advocate that everyone can start with 30 minutes of physical activity. In fact, 30 minutes may be too much for some people." He encouraged individuals for whom 30 minutes may be too much to split the routine into 10-15 minutes twice a day. He indicated that the benefits would be "similar."

He concluded that the risk of death can be cut in half with an exercise capacity that can easily be achieved by a brisk walk of about 30 minutes per session 5-6 days per week. Based on the results of the study, Kokkinos advises Physicians to encourage individuals to initiate and maintain a physically active lifestyle, which is likely to improve fitness and lower the risk of death. He cautioned that individuals should never begin an exercise regimen without first discussing their overall heath with a doctor.

The study was published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

The Washington DC VA Medical Center is a leader in research in the Washington, DC metropolitan area with millions of dollars in studies underway in areas such as HIV/AIDS, hypertension, substance abuse and Gulf War Related illnesses.