Optimal Exercise Regimens for Persons at Increased Risk

BACKGROUND:

Regular physical exercise is associated with lower coronary heart disease mortality, favorably affects coronary risk factors, and increases cardiovascular functional capacity. Fewer than one-third of Americans engage in regular physical exercise and only 20 percent of men and 10 percent of women over age 45 do so. This is largely because effective strategies for increasing the exercise habit in a broadly-based segment of Americans have not been developed. This study applied physiological and behavioral knowledge derived in numerous laboratories over the past 10-15 years to a clinical setting.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

Following stratification by gender and cigarette smoking status, subjects were randomized to one of four groups: home exercise of moderate intensity which was individually monitored; home exercise of high intensity which was individually monitored; exercise of high intensity which was group supervised; and a no program control group. The intervention program was conducted for one year followed by a one-year maintenance program. Main outcome measures included treadmill exercise test performance, exercise participation rates, and heart disease risk factors. Variables measured over two years included plasma lipids, lipoproteins, apoproteins, lipase activity, glucose and insulin, sex hormones, cardiovascular reactivity to psychological stress, cigarette smoking, nutrient intake, psychological status, and cardiovascular functional capacity.

Sedentary men and women, ages 50 to 65. Women were postmenopausal and not taking hormone replacement therapy. All subjects were free from, but at increased risk for, coronary heart disease.