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Active, fit adults report lower incidence of age-related cataract
Invest Ophthalmo Vis Sci. 2009;50(1):95-100.
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The incidence of age-related cataract was markedly lower among active adults, a study has found. Running distance and low body mass index correlated with a low incidence of cataract in men.
The prospective cohort study included 29,025 men and 11,967 women who were all nonsmokers participating in the National Runners' Health Study. Investigators prospectively followed 80% of the cohort for up to 7 years.
"Prospective analyses of this cohort have demonstrated that running greater distances attenuates age-related weight gain and reduces the incidence of diabetes in proportion to the exercise dose," the study authors said.
Incident cataracts were reported by 733 men at a mean follow-up of 7.74 years and by 179 women at a mean of 7.42 years. Reported cataracts were significantly more common among older subjects, heavier men, and both men and women who reported running shorter weekly distances.
The authors said oxidation and systemic inflammation play roles in the formation of age-related cataracts. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) reduce oxidation and inflammation, and "exercise-induced increases in HDL-cholesterol concentrations are well documented from training studies," they said.
Previous studies have linked low HDL levels to cataract formation.
The study was limited by unconfirmed self-reported clinical diagnoses of cataract and a lack of data on the specific types of cataract reported, the authors said.