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PubMed2000

Characteristics of inactive primary care patients: baseline data from the activity counseling trial. For the Activity Counseling Trial Research Group.

BACKGROUND: Although many primary care patients are inactive, being able to classify even small amounts and intensities of activity and factors associated with these activity levels could be helpful for physicians who are trying to motivate their patients to become more physically active. METHODS: Sociodemographics, physical activity, fitness, other cardiovascular risk factors, and psychosocial measures were measured at baseline in the 874 patients in the Activity Counseling Trial. Patients were categorized into three groups: (1) no moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), (2) some moderate but no vigorous activity, and (3) some vigorous activity. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine factors cross-sectionally associated with activity intensity. RESULTS: One or more cardiovascular risk factors in addition to physical inactivity were present in 84% of participants. Maximal oxygen uptake averaged 25.2 ml/kg/min; 85% had poor to fair aerobic fitness. Physical activity averaged 32.7 kcal/kg/day, with 13.5 min of MVPA/day; 26% engaged in some vigorous activity, 11% engaged in no MVPA. In unadjusted analyses, gender, age, race, education, income, employment, smoking, alcohol use, and exercise self-efficacy were associated with activity intensity (P = 0.05-0.001). A greater percentage engaged in moderate than in vigorous activity in all subgroups. In multiple logistic regression analyses, odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for engaging in vigorous activity were 0. 39 (0.28, 0.56) for women, 0.38 (0.19, 0.75) for 65+ compared with 35- to 44-year-olds, and 1.14 (1.06, 1.22) for 10-unit increases in performance self-efficacy score. CONCLUSIONS: Most primary care patients who are physically inactive have additional cardiovascular risk factors, particularly overweight and obesity. All subgroups pursue moderate-intensity activity more often than vigorous activity. Women, older persons, and those with lower exercise self-efficacy are less likely to engage in vigorous activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Sports participation and emotional wellbeing in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity may have psychological benefits. Our study assessed the association between extent of participation in regular sport or vigorous recreational activity and emotional wellbeing in adolescents aged 16 years. METHODS: Data were collected from a cohort of adolescents, born between April 5 and April 11, 1970, in England, Scotland, and Wales, who took part in the follow-up assessment at age 16 years. Emotional wellbeing was assessed by the general health questionnaire (GHQ) and the malaise inventory (divided into psychological and somatic subscales). Information was obtained about participation in ten team and 25 individual sports and vigorous recreational activities during the previous year. Non-vigorous recreations, such as darts and snooker, were assessed separately. Social class and health status (recent illness and use of hospital services) were included in our analyses as possible confounding factors. 2223 boys and 2838 girls with a mean age of 16.3 years (SD 0.38) were included in our analysis. Statistical analysis was by multiple linear and logistic regression. FINDINGS: The sport and vigorous recreational activity index was positively associated with emotional wellbeing independently of sex, social class, health status, and use of hospital services. These associations were significant for the psychological symptom subscale of the malaise inventory (regression coefficient -0.024, 95 percent Cl -0.036 to -0.011, p<0.001) and the GHQ (odds ratio of emotional distress per unit increase in vigorous physical activity 0.992, 95 percent Cl 0.985-0.998, p<O.O1). By contrast, participation in non-vigorous activities was associated with high psychological and somatic symptoms on the malaise inventory. INTERPRETATION: We conclude that emotional wellbeing is positively associated with extent of participation in sport and vigorous recreational activity among adolescents. Although causal associations cannot be assumed in this cross-sectional analysis, our results are consistent with experimental evidence that vigorous exercise has favourable effects on emotional state.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Should this team be saved?

As far as anyone could tell, Vigor Skin Care's star was rising, mostly on the strength of Ageless Vigor, its new line of enriched skin cleansers and cosmetics. In fact, this evening, the three employees responsible for developing the product line were slated to receive the parent company's highest award for performance. But CEO Peter Markles knew that despite the accolades, the business unit--and its "fearsome threesome"--had hit a rough patch in recent months. When Peter took the reins four years ago, Vigor Skin Care was the sleeping dog of the health-and-beauty industry; his challenge was to rejuvenate the maturing business. He knew a turnaround would require equal parts discipline, politics, and creativity--so he pulled together a team that could address those needs. Peter relied on Sandy Fryda, Vigor's longtime marketing director, to help him navigate the tricky political waters at headquarters. And he tapped 30-year-old Josh Bartola, a maverick contributor to Vigor Skin Care's research group, for his independent spirit and new product ideas. Their all-consuming, intensely collaborative efforts resulted in the successful Ageless Vigor line. Then reality set in. The team found the day-to-day operations of manufacturing Ageless Vigor, for all their necessity and urgency, a bit tedious. Peter felt relegated to troubleshooting distribution problems. Josh was having meetings with executives from another division who were actively recruiting the wunderkind. And Sandy was simply on the verge of burnout. Tonight, at the award ceremony, there would be speeches and applause and toasts. But tomorrow, Peter would have to face the question: Should he try to salvage the Ageless Vigor team? Four commentators offer their advice in this fictional case study.

Commerce↗
PubMed2003

Effect of exercise duration and intensity on weight loss in overweight, sedentary women: a randomized trial.

CONTEXT: A higher duration and intensity of exercise may improve long-term weight loss. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of different durations and intensities of exercise on 12-month weight loss and cardiorespiratory fitness. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Randomized trial conducted from January 2000 through December 2001 involving 201 sedentary women (mean [SD] age, 37.0 [5.7] years; mean [SD] body mass index, 32.6 [4.2]) in a university-based weight control program. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 exercise groups (vigorous intensity/high duration; moderate intensity/high duration; moderate intensity/moderate duration; or vigorous intensity/moderate duration) based on estimated energy expenditure (1000 kcal/wk vs 2000 kcal/wk) and exercise intensity (moderate vs vigorous). All women were instructed to reduce intake of energy to between 1200 and 1500 kcal/d and dietary fat to between 20% and 30% of total energy intake. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body weight, cardiorespiratory fitness, and exercise participation. RESULTS: After exclusions, 184 of 196 randomized participants completed 12 months of treatment (94%). In intention-to-treat analysis, mean (SD) weight loss following 12 months of treatment was statistically significant (P <.001) in all exercise groups (vigorous intensity/high duration = 8.9 [7.3] kg; moderate intensity/high duration = 8.2 [7.6] kg; moderate intensity/moderate duration = 6.3 [5.6] kg; vigorous intensity/moderate duration = 7.0 [6.4] kg), with no significant difference between groups. Mean (SD) cardiorespiratory fitness levels also increased significantly (P =.04) in all groups (vigorous intensity/high duration = 22.0% [19.9%]; moderate intensity/high duration = 14.9% [18.6%]; moderate intensity/moderate duration = 13.5% [16.9%]; vigorous intensity/moderate duration = 18.9% [16.9%]), with no difference between groups. Post hoc analysis revealed that percentage weight loss at 12 months was associated with the level of physical activity performed at 6 and 12 months. Women reporting less than 150 min/wk had a mean (SD) weight loss of 4.7% [6.0%]; inconsistent (other) pattern of physical activity, 7.0% [6.9%]; 150 min/wk or more, 9.5% [7.9%]; and 200 min/wk or more of exercise, 13.6% [7.8%]. CONCLUSIONS: Significant weight loss and improved cardiorespiratory fitness were achieved through the combination of exercise and diet during 12 months, although no differences were found based on different exercise durations and intensities in this group of sedentary, overweight women.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Physical exertion, exercise, and sudden cardiac death in women.

CONTEXT: Exercise is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events but may transiently increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. Its short-term and long-term associations with risk of sudden cardiac death among women are unclear. OBJECTIVES: To compare the risk of sudden cardiac death in women during moderate to vigorous exertion with the risk of sudden cardiac death during lighter or no exertion; and to assess the long-term association between moderate to vigorous exercise and sudden cardiac death. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective, nested case-crossover study of 288 cases of sudden cardiac death within the Nurses' Health Study (1980-2004); and a prospective cohort analysis of 69,693 participants without prior cardiovascular disease followed up from 1986-2004. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Risk of sudden cardiac death associated with moderate to vigorous exertion. RESULTS: The absolute risk of sudden cardiac death associated with moderate to vigorous exertion was exceedingly low at 1 per 36.5 million hours of exertion. In case-crossover analyses, the risk of sudden cardiac death was transiently elevated during moderate to vigorous exertion (relative risk [RR], 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-4.60; P = .01) compared with the risk during lesser or no exertion. Habitual moderate to vigorous exertion modified this transient risk (P = .005 for interaction) and the risk was no longer significantly elevated among those who exercised 2 or more hours per week. In the cohort analyses, an increasing amount of moderate to vigorous exercise was associated with a lower long-term risk of sudden cardiac death in age-adjusted and multivariable models that excluded biological intermediates (P = .006 for trend). This relationship was attenuated when biological intermediates were included (P = .06 for trend); however, the reduction in risk remained significant among women who exercised 4 or more hours per week (adjusted RR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.20-0.83; P = .01) compared with women who did not exercise. CONCLUSIONS: These prospective data suggest that sudden cardiac death during exertion is an extremely rare event in women. Regular exercise may significantly minimize this small transient risk and may lower the overall long-term risk of sudden cardiac death.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Behavioral economic analysis of activity choice in obese children.

Evaluated children's choice for sedentary versus vigorous activity. Experiment 1 assessed the influence of percent overweight (less than 20%, 20% to 80%, greater than 80%) on choice of a moderately liked vigorous activity at a constant variable ratio (VR) 2 reinforcement schedule versus a highly liked sedentary activity with the schedule varied from VR2 to VR32. All children chose the sedentary choice when the schedules were VR2. As the cost for sedentary activity increased, lean and moderately obese children switched to the vigorous activity, but the very obese children still chose the sedentary activity. Experiment 2 compared moderately obese children's choice between easily accessible, highly or least liked vigorous activities (VR2) and highly liked sedentary activity with the schedule varied from VR2 through VR16. When the reinforcement schedules were equal, and sedentary activity and vigorous activity were rated as equally linked, children chose the sedentary activity. All subjects switched from the sedentary to the vigorous activity, but there were no differences in choice as a function of liking for vigorous activities.

Child↗
PubMed2001

Physical activity and risk of cancer in middle-aged men.

A prospective study was carried out to examine the relationship between physical activity and incidence of cancers in 7588 men aged 40-59 years with full data on physical activity and without cancer at screening. Physical activity at screening was classified as none/occasional, light, moderate, moderately-vigorous or vigorous. Cancer incidence data were obtained from death certificates, the national Cancer Registration Scheme and self-reporting on follow-up questionnaires of doctor-diagnosed cancer. Cancer (excluding skin cancers) developed in 969 men during mean follow-up of 18.8 years. After adjustment for age, smoking, body mass index, alcohol intake and social class, the risk of total cancers was significantly reduced only in men reporting moderately-vigorous or vigorous activity; no benefit seen at lesser levels. Sporting activity was essential to achieve significant benefit and was associated with a significant dose-response reduction in risk of prostate cancer and upper digestive and stomach cancer. Sporting (vigorous) activity was associated with a significant increase in bladder cancer. No association was seen with colo-rectal cancer. Non-sporting recreational activity showed no association with cancer. Physical activity in middle-aged men is associated with reduced risk of total cancers, prostate cancer, upper digestive and stomach cancer. Moderately-vigorous or vigorous levels involving sporting activities are required to achieve such benefit.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Physical activity and stroke in British middle aged men.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relation between physical activity and stroke and to determine the overall benefit of physical activity for all major cardiovascular events. DESIGN: Prospective study of a cohort of men followed up for 9.5 years. SETTING: General practices in 24 towns in England, Wales, and Scotland (British regional heart study). SUBJECTS: 7735 men aged 40-59 at screening, selected at random from one general practice in each of 24 towns. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fatal and non-fatal strokes and heart attacks. RESULTS: 128 major strokes (fatal and non-fatal) occurred. Physical activity was inversely associated with risk of stroke independent of coronary risk factors, heavy drinking, and pre-existing ischaemic heart disease or stroke (relative risk 1.0 for inactivity, 0.6 moderate activity, and 0.3 vigorous activity; test for trend p = 0.008). The association remained after excluding men reporting regular sporting (vigorous) activity. However, vigorous physical activity was associated with a marginally significant increased risk of heart attack compared with moderate or moderately vigorous activity in men with no pre-existing ischaemic heart disease or stroke (relative risk 1.6%; 95% confidence interval 0.96 to 2.8). In men with symptomatic ischaemic heart disease or stroke those doing moderately vigorous or vigorous activity had a risk of heart attack slightly higher than that in inactive men (relative risk = 1.6; 0.8 to 3.3). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate physical activity significantly reduces the risk of stroke and heart attacks in men both with and without pre-existing ischaemic heart disease. More vigorous activity did not confer any further protection. Moderate activity, such as frequent walking and recreational activity or weekly sporting activity, should be encouraged without restriction.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Home hazards and falls in the elderly: the role of health and functional status.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to determine whether vigorous and frail older people who identify environmental hazards in their homes have an increased risk for falls. METHODS: A 1-year prospective study was conducted among 266 female and 59 male community-dwelling volunteers aged 60 to 93 years who had fallen at least once during the previous year. Composite measures of home safety and of frailty were derived using principal components analysis. Participants were divided into vigorous and frail groups, and associations between baseline home safety measures and falls at home over the follow-up year were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Frail individuals were more than twice as likely as vigorous individuals to fall during follow-up (rate ratio [RR] = 2.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.54, 3.27). In the study group as a whole, falls were not strongly associated with the presence of home hazards. However, when compared with vigorous older persons living with fewer home hazards, vigorous older persons living with more home hazards were more likely to fall. The increased risk for falls among vigorous elderly was limited to falls where home hazards were present. By contrast, living with more home hazards was not associated with increased likelihood of falls among frail older persons. CONCLUSIONS: While frail older persons experience higher overall fall rates, vigorous older persons should not be overlooked in fall prevention projects.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1998

Relationship of physical activity and television watching with body weight and level of fatness among children: results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

CONTEXT: Physical inactivity contributes to weight gain in adults, but whether this relationship is true for children of different ethnic groups is not well established. OBJECTIVE: To assess participation in vigorous activity and television watching habits and their relationship to body weight and fatness in US children. DESIGN: Nationally representative cross-sectional survey with an in-person interview and medical examination. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Between 1988 and 1994, 4063 children aged 8 through 16 years were examined as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III. Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic blacks were oversampled to produce reliable estimates for these groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Episodes of weekly vigorous activity and daily hours of television watched, and their relationship to body mass index and body fatness. RESULTS: Eighty percent of US children reported performing 3 or more bouts of vigorous activity each week. This rate was lower in non-Hispanic black and Mexican American girls (69% and 73%, respectively). Twenty percent of US children participated in 2 or fewer bouts of vigorous activity perweek, and the rate was higher in girls (26%) than in boys (17%). Overall, 26% of US children watched 4 or more hours of television per day and 67% watched at least 2 hours per day. Non-Hispanic black children had the highest rates of watching 4 or more hours of television per day (42%). Boys and girls who watch 4 or more hours of television each day had greater body fat (P<.001) and had a greater body mass index (P<.001) than those who watched less than 2 hours per day. CONCLUSIONS: Many US children watch a great deal of television and are inadequately vigorously active. Vigorous activity levels are lowest among girls, non-Hispanic blacks, and Mexican Americans. Intervention strategies to promote lifelong physical activity among US children are needed to stem the adverse health consequences of inactivity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2007

Association of physical activity with sleep-disordered breathing.

This study was performed to determine whether there is a protective association between participation in vigorous or vigorous/moderately vigorous physical activity and the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Polysomnographic and questionnaire data from the baseline examination of 4,275 participants in the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS) were analyzed in relation to information on amount of physical activity and other potentially relevant factors collected from five SHHS parent cohorts (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, Cardiovascular Health Study, Framingham Heart Study, Strong Heart Study, and Tucson Epidemiologic Study of Airways Obstructive Diseases). Logistic regression models were fitted to determine if amount and strenuousness of physical activity was associated with the presence of SDB. At least 3 h per week of vigorous physical activity reduced the odds of SDB, defined as a respiratory disturbance index (RDI) of at least 15 apneas/hypopneas per hour (Adjusted OR, 0.68; 95%CI, 0.51-0.91). A qualitatively similar but slightly weaker association was observed when SDB was defined as a RDI > or = 10 per hour (Adjusted OR, 0.81; 95%CI, 0.64-1.02). These findings remained after adjustment for sleepiness and restricting analyses to participants with good health. Three or more hours of moderately vigorous or vigorous physical activity also appeared to confer some protection against SDB, but these associations were weaker. Gender- and obesity-stratified analyses suggested that the protective association between physical activity and SDB occurred primarily in men and those who were obese. A program of regular vigorous physical activity of at least 3 h per week may be a useful adjunctive treatment modality for SDB, but this association needs confirmation with a prospective clinical trial.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Physical activity duration, intensity, and arterial stiffening in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Aerobic exercise training is associated with lower central arterial stiffness, but little information exists on the effects of physical activity intensity or duration on central arterial stiffness. Using a cross-sectional and interventional approach, we tested the hypothesis that both moderate and vigorous physical activity reduce central arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Carotid arterial stiffness (via ultrasound and applanation tonometry) and duration of physical activity at low, moderate, and vigorous intensities (via electronic accelerometer) were measured in 103 apparently healthy sedentary or recreationally active women 47 to 82 years of age. Moderate intensity physical activity was defined as 4.0 to 6.0 metabolic equivalents (MET) in subjects aged <65 years and as 3.0 to 5.0 MET in subjects >or=65 years. A subgroup of 17 sedentary subjects was randomly assigned to moderate (n = 8) or vigorous (n = 9) intensity cycling exercise training (900 kcal/week, three to five sessions per week, for 12 weeks). Carotid arterial stiffness was measured before and after training. RESULTS: Carotid beta-stiffness index was significantly correlated with the duration of moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity (r = -0.25 and r = -0.22) even after adjustment for age, height, and mean BP. Carotid beta-stiffness index significantly decreased after moderate and vigorous intensity cycling training. There were no significant group differences in the magnitude of beta-stiffness index change even after adjustment for expected confounders (eg, baseline beta-stiffness index, height, body mass index, heart rate, and post-training body mass, body mass index, and mean BP). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that both moderate and vigorous physical activities have favorable effects on central arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Physical activity and colon cancer: a public health perspective.

PURPOSE: It has been suggested that performing physical activity for at least 30 min on most days of the week will improve health. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between physical activity and colon cancer as it relates to this public health recommendation. METHODS: A large population-based case-control study of colon cancer was conducted. Study participants came from three areas of the United States: Northern California, Utah, and the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area in Minnesota. RESULTS: Long-term involvement in high levels of activity, equivalent to > or = 60 min of vigorous activity per session, was associated with decreased risk (odds ration [OR], 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-0.87). The amount of time involved in the activity appeared to have a greater impact than the number of days per week that activities were performed. Those reporting the highest level of activity, as defined by both duration and vigorous intensity, were at the lowest risk (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.52-0.75) relative to those who were sedentary; associations did not differ by age at diagnosis, site of the tumor within the colon, or sex. The inverse association between colon cancer and long-term vigorous leisure-time activity was slightly stronger among those without a family history of colorectal cancer than among those with a family history of colorectal cancer. From these data we estimate that 13% of colon cancer could be attributed to lack of vigorous leisure-time activity in the population; we estimate that 4.3 cases of colon cancer/100,000 population are prevented each year because people are involved in vigorous leisure-time physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this study suggest that a high level of vigorous leisure-time activity performed over the past 20 years was important in reducing colon cancer risk; the greatest inverse association was observed when activities were performed for longer periods of time per session for the past 20 years. These and other data indicate that it is important to identify ways to facilitate an increase in leisure-time physical activity within the population.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

How active are rural children in Australian physical education?

Physical education lessons offer a venue for children to accrue valuable and health-conferring time being physically active. The first Australian direct observational data are presented on activity of year 3 and 4 children during physical education. Analysis accounts for the nested nature of the data through multi level logistic regression using 13,080 records within 231 lessons within 18 randomly selected schools. Activity was analysed in relation to lesson context (focus of lesson), child gender, school year of child, teacher gender, lesson duration and start time. Children spent 36.7% of a lesson in moderate to vigorous and 12.9% in vigorous activity. Most of the lesson was spent in the context of management/instruction (37.4%), followed by games (25.0%), skill (21.4%), and fitness (14.7%). The highest level of moderate to vigorous activity was observed in the fitness lesson context (61.9%). followed by skill (46.4%), games (42.6%) and management/instruction (17.1%). Moderate to vigorous activity was significantly higher for boys than girls. There was no significant difference in moderate to vigorous activity in lessons led by male or female teachers. However vigorous activity was significantly higher for female led lessons. Children participated in less physical activity during physical education lessons timetabled in the afternoon, compared to physical education lessons time-tabled in the morning. Physical activity levels were not related to lesson duration. Physical education lessons can potentially be more active. However improvement rests on school capacity and may require a health promoting schools approach to implement curricular policy.

Child↗
PubMed2005

Long-period accelerometer monitoring shows the role of physical activity in overweight and obesity.

CONTEXT: Physical activity (PA) plays an important role in obesity. A new accelerometer has been developed to assess total energy expenditure as well as PA. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of PA with overweight and obesity in Japanese men and women, a large cross-sectional study was performed using a single-axis accelerometer. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Population-based cross-sectional study of Japanese 18-84 y of age. Height, body weight and PA were measured in 400 male and 388 female Japanese volunteers from 1999 to 2000. The outcome measurements were overweight and obesity, which are defined as a body mass index >/=25 kg/m(2). PA was measured for 1 to 4 weeks and was then categorized into three activity levels, which were defined as light, moderate and vigorous PA. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 22.3%. Number of steps and time spent in moderate and vigorous PA per day were lower in overweight and obese individuals. No difference was found in time spent in light PA. Individuals who are in the 4th and 5th quintile of moderate and vigorous PA showed a significantly lower body mass index. When odd ratios (ORs) of overweight and obesity estimated by logistic regression were used as effect measures, overweight and obesity were negatively associated with vigorous PA (ORs=0.91). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that overweight and obese individuals have a lower step rate and are spending less time for moderate to vigorous PA. Participation in vigorous PA is an important predictor of overweight and obesity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The combined effects of aerobic exercise and alcohol restriction on blood pressure and serum lipids: a two-way factorial study in sedentary men.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether vigorous exercise and alcohol restriction have additive and independent effects in reducing blood pressure in sedentary male alcohol drinkers. Also to assess whether 4 weeks of vigorous exercise could offset the fall in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) usually observed after alcohol restriction. DESIGN: Seventy-five sedentary men were randomly assigned to drink low-alcohol beer or continue their normal drinking habits. Within these two groups subjects were further assigned either to a vigorous exercise programme of three 30-min sessions a week of cycling at 60-70% of maximum workload or to a control light-exercise programme. RESULTS: Seventy-two subjects completed the trial. Alcohol consumption fell by 85% in the low-alcohol group. Fitness increased by 10% following vigorous exercise, with a significant improvement in maximum oxygen uptake. After adjustment for weight loss, a significant effect of alcohol restriction in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was demonstrated. There was no effect of vigorous exercise on blood pressure. Serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B were not influenced by alcohol restriction or vigorous exercise. However, alcohol restriction significantly reduced triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, its subfractions HDL2-cholesterol and HDL3-cholesterol, and its major apolipoproteins apo A-I and apo A-II. These reductions were unaffected by moderate exercise. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further evidence that alcohol restriction results in reductions in blood pressure in men who are regular alcohol drinkers. However, a simultaneous increase in fitness did not lead to lower blood pressures than those achieved with alcohol restriction alone, and was unable to offset alcohol-related falls in HDL-cholesterol, its subfractions and its major apolipoproteins.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Long-term effects of exercise on blood pressure and lipids in healthy women aged 40-65 years: The Sedentary Women Exercise Adherence Trial (SWEAT).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term effects of regular moderate or vigorous intensity exercise on blood pressure and blood lipids in previously sedentary older women. DESIGN: Subjects were randomly assigned to either a supervised centre-based (CB) or a minimally supervised home-based (HB) exercise program, initially for 6 months. Within each program, subjects were further randomized to exercise either at moderate (40-55% heart rate reserve, HRres) or vigorous intensity (65-80% HRres). After 6 months, all groups continued a HB moderate or vigorous exercise program for another 12 months. METHODS: Healthy, sedentary women (aged 40-65 years) (n = 126) were recruited from the community. Subjects exercised three times per week for 30 min. They were evaluated at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months. RESULTS: There was a significant fall of 2.81 mmHg in systolic blood pressure (P = 0.049) and 2.70 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.004) after correction for age and baseline values with moderate exercise, but not with vigorous-intensity exercise. When this analysis was repeated with the change in body mass included, the results were unchanged. After correction for potential confounding factors, there was a significant fall in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol with vigorous but not moderate exercise at 6 months (P < 0.05) but not at 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: In this largely normotensive population of older women, a moderate, but not vigorous exercise program, achieved sustained falls in resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure over 18 months. The study demonstrates that, in older women, moderate intensity exercise is well accepted, sustainable long-term and has the health benefit of reduced blood pressure.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Habitual physical activity in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to: 1) measure total physical activity levels, including the intensities of the various types of activities, in children and adolescents with CF compared with non-CF healthy control subjects; and 2) determine whether vigorous activity level was related to aerobic fitness and disease status in patients with CF. METHODS: Thirty patients with CF (18 male, 12 female) and 30 control subjects (17 male, 13 female), 7-17 yr old, participated in this study. Habitual physical activity was measured using Kriska's Modifiable Activity Questionnaire (MAQ) and the past year's average of total hours, MET-hours, and vigorous (VIG) hours (>6 METs) of activity per week were determined. Aerobic fitness was determined from peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) obtained via maximal exercise testing on a cycle ergometer. Standard spirometry was used to measure pulmonary function. Body mass index (BMI) was determined from height and weight measurements. RESULTS: The CF and control groups were similar in age and gender distribution, but the patients were smaller (BMI, 98 vs 112% of predicted) and less aerobically fit (36.5 vs 41.4 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Total and MET-hours of physical activity did not differ between groups; however, the CF group participated in significantly fewer hours of vigorous activities than the control group (2 vs 3.7 h x wk(-1)). In patients with worse lung disease, VIG-h x wk(-1) were significantly related to VO2peak (r = 0.83). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that children with CF engage in less vigorous physical activities than their healthy non-CF peers, despite having good lung function. In view of the progressive nature of the disease, and the association between aerobic fitness and vigorous activity, patients should be encouraged to engage in more vigorous activities that promote aerobic fitness and may ultimately have an impact on survival.

Adolescent↗