Cardiorespiratory fitness and lung cancer risk: A prospective population-based cohort study

Abstract Objectives Little is known about the role of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) with the risk of lung cancer. Previous research shows that maintaining a sufficient amount of physical activity may have a protective effect against cancer. The aim of this study is to examine the associations of CRF, LTPA and lung cancer among middle-aged Finnish men. Design Prospective cohort study. Methods In a population-based cohort study of 2305 men from Eastern Finland with no history of cancer at baseline. CRF and LTPA data was collected at baseline, 73 cases of lung cancer occurred during an average follow-up of 20-years. Results In a multivariate adjusted model, every 3.8 mL/kg/min (1 SD) increase of CRF was related to a 31% decrease in lung cancer risk across all VO2 max quartiles. Furthermore, a 2.8-fold (95% CI 1.14–7.22, p = 0.024) increased risk of lung cancer among men in the lowest quartile (≤20.3 mL/kg/min) of CRF as compared those in the highest quartile (>35.1 mL/kg/min). In a multivariate adjusted model LTPA was not associated to lung cancer. Conclusions In middle-aged men with no history of lung cancer, increasing levels of CRF serves as a protective factor against lung cancer. Increasing CRF may reduce the risk of lung cancer. Furthermore, CRF is a better predictor of lung cancer than LTPA.