Effects Of A Short-term Functional Exercise Program On Cardiac And Vascular Health

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Research consistently shows that those at the highest risk for cardiovascular disease are those who are overweight and have low fitness and activity levels. Also, physical activity levels are inversely related to glucose and cholesterol, body fat, and vascular health measures; all of which are easily measured markers of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have found that short-term exercise improves blood pressure, vascular health, and glucose and cholesterol levels. Also, fun and simple exercises have been shown to lead to habit formation in previously sedentary individuals. However, to date, no study has examined cardiac and vascular health changes with a 4-week functional exercise program. PURPOSE: To determine if a 4-week self-report functional exercise intervention will improve cardiovascular health measures. METHODS: Eleven seemingly healthy adults (8 M, 3 F) have completed the 4-week exercise program. Blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels, body fat, carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT), and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were measured after an overnight fast, pre- and post- intervention. For the intervention, three times a week, participants completed a 6-station exercise circuit, rotating through the stations 3 times. The circuit included functional exercises such as weighted carries, stair climbs, balance, and core strength. RESULTS: Participants’ average age was 32.0 ±16 yrs, and body weight was 156.6 ±28.8 lbs. Adherence to the four-week exercise program was 95.5%. We found improvements in cardiovascular health measures; including a decrease in total cholesterol (-10.45 ±20 mg/dL), an increase in HDL levels (2.45 ±7 mg/dL), a decrease in triglyceride levels (-7.10 ±41 mg/dL), a significant decrease in LDL levels (-18.4 ±9 mg/dL, p= 0.01), an increase in percent FMD (2.36 ±5%), a decrease in IMT measurements (-0.01 ±0.03 mm), a decrease in fat mass (-1.46 ±5 lb), an increase in fat free mass (2.05 ±4 lb), and a decrease in body fat percent (-0.63 ±3%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest improvements in cardiovascular health measures; however, additional data collection is necessary in order to see more significant results. Data collection is ongoing.