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Residential environment, physical activity, and cardiovascular health in urban adults

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of global mortality. This study examined the joint and interactive effects of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and residential environment infrastructure factor (REIF) on cardiovascular health indicators in an urban population. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 95 adults in Kaunas (Lithuania). Participants were categorized into MVPA tertiles. Cardiovascular outcomes included arterial pressure (aBP), including systolic (sBP) and diastolic blood pressure (dBP), pulse pressure (PP), daily heart rate (dHR), endurance coefficient (EC), adaptive potential (AP), and a composite health index (HI). Principal component analysis generated a composite behavioral–environmental–health index (AEH) explaining 71.3% of total variance. Structural equation modeling (SEM) assessed direct and interaction effects. Participants in the highest MVPA tertile exhibited significantly lower dHR, PP, and more favorable HI profiles compared with the lowest tertile. SEM demonstrated significant associations between MVPA and dHR and HI, as well as between REIF and dHR. A significant MVPA x REIF interaction was observed for dHR. The model explained up to 61% of variance in key cardiovascular outcomes. This study suggests that PA and REIF quality may be jointly associated with cardiovascular health.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-79167-w

Authors: Sandra Andrušaitytė, Jone Vencloviene, Aurimas Rapalavičius, Auksė Miškinytė, Audrius Dėdelė

Institutions: Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Physical Activity and Health

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690