Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Physical activity and reducing the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in older men and women: Lessons learned in 2006

  • Published:
Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This review provides an overview of some of the recent research, in particular studies published in 2006, examining the impact of physical activity on cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality in older adults. In 2006, a number of cross-sectional and intervention studies provided insight into the mechanisms by which physical activity influences CVD risk by influencing a number of traditional and nontraditional CVD risk factors. Additional prospective observational studies in older adults with CVD demonstrated a clear negative dose-response relation between physical activity levels and morbidity and mortality risk in this patient group. Finally, a number of cardiac exercise rehabilitation interventions were tested. Although these intervention studies had mixed findings, some exciting observations were made. Hopefully, the methods employed in the effective exercise rehabilitation studies will be translated into clinical practice in the near future.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Lee CD, Folsom AR, Blair SN: Physical activity and stroke risk: a meta-analysis. Stroke 2003, 34:2475–2481.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Kohl HW 3rd: Physical activity and cardiovascular disease: evidence for a dose response. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001, 33:S472–S483; discussion S493–474.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Katzmarzyk PT, Janssen I: The economic costs associated with physical inactivity and obesity in Canada: an update. Can J Appl Physiol 2004, 29:90–115.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Thompson PD, Buchner D, Pina IL, et al.: Exercise and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a statement from the Council on Clinical Cardiology (Subcommittee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention) and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Subcommittee on Physical Activity). Circulation 2003, 107:3109–3116.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Garg PK, Tian L, Criqui MH et al.: Physical activity during daily life and mortality in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Circulation 2006, 114:242–248.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Janssen I, Jolliffe CJ: Influence of physical activity on mortality in elderly with coronary artery disease. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2006, 38:418–417.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. DiPietro L, Dziura J, Yeckel CW, Neufer PD: Exercise and improved insulin sensitivity in older women: evidence of the enduring benefits of higher intensity training. J Appl Physiol 2006, 100:142–149.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ferrara CM, Goldberg AP, Ortmeyer HK, Ryan AS: Effects of aerobic and resistive exercise training on glucose disposal and skeletal muscle metabolism in older men. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2006, 61:480–487.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Stewart KJ, Ouyang P, Bacher AC et al.: Exercise effects on cardiac size and left ventricular diastolic function: relationships to changes in fitness, fatness, blood pressure and insulin resistance. Heart 2006, 92:893–898.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Woo J, Lynn H, Wong SY, et al.: Correlates for a low anklebrachial index in elderly Chinese. Atherosclerosis 2006, 186:360–366.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Duvernoy CS, Martin JW, Briesmiester K, et al.: Self-reported physical activity and myocardial flow reserve in postmenopausal women at risk for cardiovascular disease. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2006, 15:45–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Jurca R, LaMonte MJ, Durstine LJ: Physical activity and nontraditional CHD risk factors: new pathways for primordial prevention of coronary heart disease. President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sport Research Digest 2005, 6:1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Hjelstuen A, Anderssen SA, Holme I, et al.: Markers of inflammation are inversely related to physical activity and fitness in sedentary men with treated hypertension. Am J Hypertens 2006, 19:669–675; discussion 676–667.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Kohut ML, McCann DA, Russell DW, et al.: Aerobic exercise, but not flexibility/resistance exercise, reduces serum IL-18, CRP, and IL-6 independent of beta-blockers, BMI, and psychosocial factors in older adults. Brain Behav Immun 2006, 20:201–209.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Madden KM, Levy WC, Stratton JK: Exercise training and heart rate variability in older adult female subjects. Clin Invest Med 2006, 29:20–28.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Blair SN, Kampert JB, Kohl HW, 3rd et al.: Influences of cardiorespiratory fitness and other precursors on cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in men and women. JAMA 1996, 276:205–210.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Paffenbarger RS Jr, Hyde RT, Wing AL, Hsieh CC: Physical activity, all-cause mortality, and longevity of college alumni. N Engl J Med 1986, 314:605–613.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Paffenbarger RS Jr, Hyde RT, Wing AL, et al.: The association of changes in physical-activity level and other lifestyle characteristics with mortality among men. N Engl J Med 1993, 328:538–545.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Blair SN, Kohl HW 3rd, Barlow CE, et al.: Changes in physical fitness and all-cause mortality. A prospective study of healthy and unhealthy men. JAMA 1995, 273:1093–1098.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Kaplan GA, Haan MN: Is there a role for prevention among the elderly? Epidemiological evidence from the Almeda County Study. In Aging and Health Care: Social Science and Policy Perspectives. Edited by Ory MG, Bond K. London: Tavistock Publications; 1989:27–51.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Kurth T, Moore SC, Gaziano JM, et al.: Healthy lifestyle and the risk of stroke in women. Arch Intern Med 2006, 166:1403–1409.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Pate RR, Pratt M, Blair SN, et al.: Physical activity and public health. A recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine. JAMA 1995, 273:402–407.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; 1996.

  24. Health Canada, Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology: Handbook for Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living. Ottawa, ON: Health Canada; 1998.

  25. Regensteiner JG, Hiatt WR: Current medical therapies for patients with peripheral arterial disease: a critical review. Am J Med 2002, 112:49–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. American College of Sports Medicine: American College of Sports Medicine position stand: exercise for patients with coronary artery disease. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1994, 26:i–v.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Gordon NF, Gulanick M, Costa F, et al.: Physical activity and exercise recommendations for stroke survivors: an American Heart Association scientific statement from the Council on Clinical Cardiology, Subcommittee on Exercise, Cardiac Rehabilitation, and Prevention; the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing; the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism; and the Stroke Council. Circulation 2004, 109:2031–2041.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Pescatello LS, Franklin BA, Fagard R, et al.: American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and hypertension. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2004, 36:533–553.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Harting J, van Assema P, van Limpt P, et al.: Effects of health counseling on behavioural risk factors in a high-risk cardiology outpatient population: a randomized clinical trial. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 2006, 13:214–221.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Tsai MW, Chie WC, Kuo TB, et al.: Effects of exercise training on heart rate variability after coronary angioplasty. Phys Ther 2006, 86:626–635.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Scholz U, Knoll N, Sniehotta FF, Schwarzer R: Physical activity and depressive symptoms in cardiac rehabilitation: long-term effects of a self-management intervention. Soc Sci Med 2006, 62:3109–3120.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Bock BC, Carmona-Barros RE, Esler JL, Tilkemeier PL: Program participation and physical activity maintenance after cardiac rehabilitation. Behav Modif 2003, 27:37–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Ades PA, Savage PD, Tischler MD, et al.: Determinants of disability in older coronary patients. Am Heart J 2002, 143:151–156.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Moore SM, Charvat JM, Gordon NH, et al.: Effects of a CHANGE intervention to increase exercise maintenance following cardiac events. Ann Behav Med 2006, 31:53–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Moore SM, Charvat JM: Using the CHANGE intervention to enhance long-term exercise. Nurs Clin North Am 2002, 37:273–283, vi–vii.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Tingstrom PR, Ekelund U, Kamwendo K, Bergdahl B: Effects of a problem-based learning rehabilitation program on physical activity in patients with coronary artery disease. J Cardiopulm Rehabil 2006, 26:32–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Maudsley G: Do we all mean the same thing by “problem-based learning”? A review of the concepts and a formulation of the ground rules. Acad Med 1999, 74:178–185.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Pavy B, Iliou MC, Meurin P, et al.: Safety of exercise training for cardiac patients: results of the French registry of complications during cardiac rehabilitation. Arch Intern Med 2006, 166:2329–2334.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Falcone RA, Hirsch AT, Regensteiner JG, et al.: Peripheral arterial disease rehabilitation: a review. J Cardiopulm Rehabil 2003, 23:170–175.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Masucci MM, Homko C, Santamore WP, et al.: Cardiovascular disease prevention for underserved patients using the Internet: bridging the digital divide. Telemed J E Health 2006, 12:58–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Southard BH, Southard DR, Nuckolls J: Clinical trial of an Internet-based case management system for secondary prevention of heart disease. J Cardiopulm Rehabil 2003, 23:341–348.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada

    Ian Janssen PhD

Authors
  1. Ian Janssen PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ian Janssen PhD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Janssen, I. Physical activity and reducing the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in older men and women: Lessons learned in 2006. Curr Cardio Risk Rep 1, 265–269 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-007-0041-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-007-0041-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation