Exercise, Body Composition and Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors in African American Women

Abstract

1481 Coronary artery disease (CAD) has a major societal impact, influencing communities economically, physiologically and psychologically. Risk factors for CAD are associated with certain lifestyle practices and disproportionately affect members of the African American (AA) community. It has been well established that routine physical activity can reduce the risk of developing CAD risk factors. Participation in physical activity is lower among AA women than all other race-gender groups except Mexican American women. PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of exercise on body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, blood pressure, and heart rate in AA women participating in a weight management program. Methods: Twentythree women were randomly placed into four groups. Group I (n = 5) attended weekly nutrition education classes. Group II (n = 6) participated in a regular exercise regimen with a personal trainer 5 days/week. Group III (n = 6) received nutrition and exercise instruction. Group IV (n = 6) served as the control group and received no instruction. The evaluated variables included resting and exercise blood pressure (BP), resting and exercise heart rate (RHR and EHR) and body fat composition (BF). Variables were evaluated at week 1 and then again following eight weeks of intervention. The women performed an exercise tolerance test at the beginning and end of the study. Results: The reported results consider Group II and Group IV. Decreases in Group II were seen in mean body weight (84.8 ± 6.5 kg to 82.5 ± 5.2 kg), mean RHR (84 ± 16 bpm to 81 ± 9 bpm), and mean resting systolic and diastolic BP (131 ± 10 mmHg to 126 ± 10 mmHg and 84 ± 10 mmHg to 79 ± 7 mmHg, respectively). Group II decreased in circumference measurements. Biceps girth lowered 34.2 ± 2.5 cm to 32.7 ± 2.1 cm; abdominal girth decreased from 101.5 ± 8.8 cm to 97.7 ± 8.7 cm; hip girth decreased from 115.6 ± 5.3 cm to 113.5 ± 5.1 cm; thigh girth decreased from 63.2 ± 7.5 cm to 60.1 ± 6.5 cm; and calf girth decreased from 38.0 ± 3.9 cm to 37.8 ± 3.3 cm. Group II BMI decreased from 30.3 ± 2.5 kg/m2 to 29.5 ± 2.1 kg/m2. Group II measures including HR, systolic BP, and diastolic BP were lowered from 95 ± 20 bpm to 92 ± 9 bpm, 134 ± 10 mmHg to 132 ± 10 mmHg, and 86 ± 9 mmHg to 78 ± 11 mmHg, respectively. Exercise systolic and diastolic BP for Group II also decreased from 160 ± 31 mmHg to 146 ± 20 mmHg and 91 ± 12 mmHg to 86 ± 7 mmHg, respectively. Little to no change was noticed in Group II body composition and Group IV weight, calf measurements, BMI, and exercise systolic blood pressure. Conclusion: Results indicate that regular exercise may aid in reducing coronary artery disease risk factors in AA women.