The role of physical activity in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors: an opinion paper from Italian Society of Cardiology-Emilia Romagna-Marche and SIC-Sport

Abstract

Regular physical activity is a cornerstone in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to its positive effects in reducing several cardiovascular risk factors. Current guidelines on CVD suggest for healthy adults to perform at least 150 min/week of moderate intensity or 75 min/week of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity. The current review explores the effects of physical activity on some risk factors, specifically: diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension and hyperuricemia. Physical activity induces an improvement in insulin sensitivity and in glucose control independently of weight loss, which may further contribute to ameliorate both diabetes-associated defects. The benefits of adherence to physical activity have recently proven to extend beyond surrogate markers of metabolic syndrome and diabetes by reducing hard endpoints such as mortality. In recent years, obesity has greatly increased in all countries. Weight losses in these patients have been associated with improvements in many cardiometabolic risk factors. Strategies against obesity included caloric restriction, however greater results have been obtained with association of diet and physical activity. Similarly, the beneficial effect of training on blood pressure via its action on sympathetic activity and on other factors such as improvement of endothelial function and reduction of oxidative stress can have played a role in preventing hypertension development in active subjects. The main international guidelines on prevention of CVD suggest to encourage and to increase physical activity to improve lipid pattern, hypertension and others cardiovascular risk factor. An active action is required to the National Society of Cardiology together with the Italian Society of Sports Cardiology to improve the prescription of organized physical activity in patients with CVD and/or cardiovascular risk factors.

Effects of Elastic Band Exercise on Functional Fitness and Blood Pressure Response in the Healthy Elderly

“…These results are similar to those of previous studies [ 29 , 30 ], which have shown improvement in the blood pressure of elderly women with high blood pressure after their participation in an elastic band exercise program composed of moderately intense resistance training. Previous studies have shown a positive correlation between cardiovascular diseases and an increase in PP [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. It follows that the reduction in PP seen in those participants who followed the current EBE program in the present study may reduce cardiovascular disease in older adults.…”

“…It follows that the reduction in PP seen in those participants who followed the current EBE program in the present study may reduce cardiovascular disease in older adults. Moderately intense resistance exercises improve vascular endothelial function, thereby reducing arterial contraction and blood pressure [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. The reduced blood pressure at rest after 12 weeks of EBE, as measured in the present study, could be a result of decreased sympathetic nerve activity [ 30 , 33 ].…”

Quarantine during COVID-19 outbreak: Changes in diet and physical activity increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

“…Prolonged TV viewing time is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, CVD, and allcause mortality [68]. Prolonged sedentary time is independently associated with deleterious health outcomes, regardless of levels of physical activity [67,68] During quarantine governments prohibited the great majority of outdoor exercise and social activities (e.g. going to the gym), resulting in a reduction of physical activity.…”

“…Table 2 summarizes the WHO indication "Stay physically active during self-quarantine" [73]. Little is known about the effects of homebased physical activity on chronic disease [67,74,75]. The Web could prove useful, since today there are many workout videos available that can assist people in exercising on their own.…”

“…During and after menopause, most women tend to reduce their physical activity levels and together with the reduction in basal metabolic rate, these lead to a loss of skeletal muscle mass as well as loss of bone mineral density [66,81]. During perimenopause period, fat deposition shifts to favor the visceral depot that, in addition to the decreased protective effect of estrogen, contributes to endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, altered fatty acid metabolism, insulin resistance, and all markers of CVDs [66,67]. There is a direct relationship between time spent sitting, physical activity, and the CVD risk in postmenopausal women, independent of leisure-time physical activity.…”