Long-term physical activity: an exogenous risk factor for sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To conduct a geographically defined, UK-based case-control study, to examine any association between physical activity (PA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods

A novel historical PA questionnaire was designed, validated, and subsequently administered in individual face-to-face interviews of 175 newly diagnosed sporadic ALS cases and 317 age- and sex-matched community controls. Historical PA energy expenditure and time spent in vigorous-intensity PA were derived from questionnaire data and compared between cases and controls.

Results

Participation in an extra 10kJ/kg/day of PA (equivalent to approximately 45minutes brisk walking) was consistently associated with an increased risk of ALS, with the strongest association observed for adulthood exer

SUBMITTER: Harwood CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4950417 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature