How Exercise Lowers Stroke Risk: Lessons from Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China

Stroke remains a major health issue in many countries, and China is particularly affected. A study explored the ties between different types of physical activity and stroke risk in middle-aged and older Chinese adults. Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2020, researchers looked at four aspects of physical activity: intensity, frequency, duration, and total physical activity (TPA). They found that moderate and vigorous exercise, especially when done frequently or for extended periods, was linked to a lower risk of stroke. Light exercise didn’t show a significant effect. When TPA was divided into quartiles, higher levels (third and fourth quartiles) were associated with a 35% and 42% lower stroke risk, respectively. The study also showed that these associations differed among various groups, such as age, sex, and health conditions, but no significant interactions were found. This suggests that maintaining an active lifestyle can be crucial in stroke prevention for adults over 45.