Momma H, et al. - In this cohort study that included 6,653 Japanese men without hypertension, researchers assessed the risk of hypertension in relation to the frequency of achieving the recommended fitness levels of the Physical Activity Reference for Health Promotion 2013. The participants were considered to be fit if they had a fitness level equal to or exceeding the reference value. By counting the number of times the fitness level was achieved in 1980 through 1986, they estimated the frequency of achieving the recommended fitness level. The first visit with an SBP/DBP of at least 140/90 mmHg or self-reported antihypertensive medication use defined incident hypertension. Comparing fit vs unfit men at baseline, the estimated multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios for incident hypertension was 0.79. In association with achieving three or more of the recommended levels (0.72 for three times to 0.62 for seven times), a lower risk of hypertension was observed. Overall, with respect to hypertension risk attenuation, a beneficial impact was evident upon achieving the fitness level recommended in the Japanese guideline three or more times during a 6-year period.