Study links lower incidence of AMD to vigorous physical exercise

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009;50(1):101-106.

Vigorous running was associated with a reduced incidence of age-related macular degeneration in a large study. Male former cigarette smokers and people who ate more meat and less fruit had a higher incidence of AMD.

The prospective cohort study included 29,532 men and 12,176 women age 18 years and older participating in the National Runners' Health Study. Subjects completed a questionnaire on demographics and running, weight, smoking and medical histories. Investigators followed the cohort for 7.7 years.

The results showed AMD reported by 110 men and 42 women. Those reporting AMD were older (mean 54.81 years) than those not reporting AMD (mean 44.86 years).

Men who reported AMD were significantly more likely to have formerly smoked cigarettes (50.6%) than those who did not report AMD (41.2%). Men and women who ate more meat and less fruit were more likely to report AMD.

In addition, men and women reporting AMD ran significantly less than those who did not have AMD; relative risk for AMD diminished 10% for each kilometer run daily, the study author said.

Limitations of the study included incident AMD being self-reported, a lack of data on type of AMD reported (wet vs. dry) and the absence of a sedentary control group.