Regular physical activity as a basic component of lifestyle
modification reduces major cardiovascular risk factors among male armored force
personnel of Shabestar army installation in Iran
Affiliations: Sport Physiology Research Center and Department of
Nutrition, Health School, Baqiyatallah (a.s.), University of Medical Sciences,
Tehran, Iran | Health School, Baqiyatallah (a.s.) University of
Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran | Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health
School, Baqiyatallah (a.s.) University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Note: [] Address for correspondence: M.R. Naghii, Sport Physiology
Research Center and Department of Nutrition, Health School, Baqiyatallah (a.s.)
aUniversity of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Objectives: Cardiovascular/Coronary Heart Disease (CVD) is a leading
cause of disability and death worldwide. The most important risk factors for
CVD are well-established and are strongly influenced by lifestyle changes.
Clearly, physical activity has been shown to be extremely important in reducing
the burden of this disease. The aim of this case-control study was to examine
the association between intensity of activities and CVD risk factors in healthy
military personnel. Participants: Two group of subjects (active [engaging
in three session of field exercises/week] =50, and inactive [with no
experience of field exercise]=50) were classified by a questionnaire
containing demographic, health history, type and level of physical activity,
and employment information. Methods: Anthropometric indices,
lipid-lipoprotein profile, arterial pressures, and fasting blood glucose were
assessed. Independent sample t-tests were used for comparison. Results: Physically active subjects had significantly (⩽ 0.05) lower measures of
body mass indices (except height), lower levels of total cholesterol (TC), low
density lipoprotein (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), systolic and diastolic blood
pressure (S/DBP), risk factor (TC/HDL ratio), atherogenic index (LDL/HDL
ratio), and higher levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL-C). Fasting blood
sugar (FBS) was normal in both groups. Conclusions: To reduce the risk
factors of developing CVD and preventing its progression significantly, it
clearly serves to underscore the beneficial properties of physical activity and
to promote its effectiveness as a support for healthier lifestyles in the
community and particularly among military personnel. The findings of this study
substantiate the need for physical exercise to reduce signs and symptoms
associated with CVD risk, even among a young, healthy, generally active
population. Further, that these results would appear to corroborate the concept
of increasing physical activity, including aerobic activity, as a preventative
measure.
Keywords: Field exercise, activity, inactivity, anthropometry, lipids, military personnel
