Association Between Self-Reported Weekly Physical Activity Duration and Echocardiographic Cardiac Structure and Function in Adults Aged ≥ 45 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The association between habitual physical activity duration and cardiac structure and diastolic function remains incompletely characterized. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between self-reported weekly physical activity duration and echocardiographic parameters in adults aged ≥ 45 years. Methods: This exploratory cross-sectional study included 84 adults recruited from a cardiology outpatient clinic and classified into three groups according to weekly physical activity duration: <4 h/week (Group A, n = 32), 4–12 h/week (Group B, n = 28), and >12 h/week (Group C, n = 24). All participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and smoking. Exploratory natural cubic spline analyses evaluated physical activity as a continuous exposure. Results: Participants reporting 4–12 h/week generally showed the most favorable echocardiographic profile. Significant between-group differences after false discovery rate correction were observed for several indices of cardiac remodeling and diastolic function. The proportions of participants classified as having left ventricular diastolic dysfunction according to the original clinical echocardiographic assessment were 37.5%, 32.1%, and 75.0% in Groups A, B, and C, respectively (p = 0.004; q = 0.006). After adjustment, Group C had higher odds of being classified as having diastolic dysfunction than Group B (OR = 8.246; 95% CI: 2.118–32.096; p = 0.002). Spline analyses demonstrated significant non-linear associations for LVMI, RWT, mean E/e′, and lateral e′ velocity. Conclusions: Weekly physical activity duration was associated with cardiac remodeling and diastolic function. Intermediate activity duration was associated with a more favorable echocardiographic profile; however, these exploratory findings do not establish an optimal exercise dose or harmful effects of higher activity.