Previous reports have linked high levels of leisure-time physical activity with a reduced risk of dying among people with diabetes. Now, new research shows that work-time physical activity has a similar benefit.

In a study of patients with type 2 diabetes, their odds of dying went down as their amount of work-related physical activity went up, according to Dr. Gang Hu, from the National Public Health Institute in Helsinki, and colleagues.

The investigators studied 3316 participants with type 2 diabetes who were followed for an average of over 18 years. During follow-up, 1410 subjects died, including 903 from cardiovascular disease, the researchers report in the rapid access issue of the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.

Compared with subjects who sat at a desk most of the day, those engaged in heavy manual labor were 40 percent less likely to die from any cause or from cardiovascular disease in particular.

Subjects with jobs involving walking and standing, but no heavy labor had mortality risks that fell between those with desk jobs and manual laborers.

“We have provided evidence that not only leisure time physical activity but also occupational activity and daily walking or cycling to and from work are important components of a healthy lifestyle among diabetic patients,” the authors conclude.

SOURCE: Circulation, July 27, 2004.