Intense exercise may be best way to decrease cardiovascular risk

July 8, 2011 - PRLog -- Various types of exercises have been popularized to improve cardiovascular fitness.  There is often debate about which type of exercise is the most effective for improving conditioning and decreasing risk for cardiovascular disease.  

A study published in the April 2011 issue of American Journal of Human Biology looked at cerebrovascular disease and the impact of high-intensity exercise and moderate-intensity exercise.  Cerebrovascular disease usually occurs during adulthood, but it is generally accepted that cerebrovascular risk factors begin developing in childhood and carry over into adult years.  Preventative health strategies therefore include identifying youth with abnormal or just below the maximum level of accepted cerebrovascular risk and intervening with appropriate measures.

Modifiable risk factors included poor diet, physical inactivity, low aerobic fitness, overweight/obesity, hypertension and abnormal lipid profiles.  All of these risk factors were felt to be intertwined and nearly all tied to obesity.  Prevention of weight gain, therefore, is considered a vital strategy.  

The most important factors in preventing weight gain prior to adulthood are poor diet and physical inactivity.  In a comparison between a high-intensity exercise and moderate-intensity exercise, a moderate-intensity group ran for 20 minutes with an intensity of 70 percent maximal oxygen uptake, and a high-intensity group did maximal effort sprints for 30 seconds in a course separated by cones.  The groups then repeated the exercise 4 to 6 times after 30-second recovery intervals.  Both groups exercised three times a week for seven weeks.  The high-intensity group showed superior improvements in blood pressure, aerobic fitness and body mass index compared to the moderate-intensity group.

Dr. Dennis Lox, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, commented that high intensity exercise has been known for some time to have excellent training effects.  He added that there are exercise machines that do interval training which specialize in more high-intensity training with interval settings.  

“This study reiterates the importance of considering high intensity training as a first-line treatment regimen for cardiovascular fitness and to lower body mass index,” said Dr. Lox “ and the need to promote a healthy lifestyle starting younger in life.”

Dr. Lox incorporates an exercise and fitness regimen into recommendations for many patients, and has found excellent results.  

“Of course, any exercise is superior to no exercise in the sedentary individual and lifestyle modifications are very important for successful strategies,” concluded Dr. Lox.


http://www.DrLox.com

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Dennis M. Lox, M.D. is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Since 1990, he has used sports medicine techiques and cutting-edge technology to help heal musculoskeletal injuries and relieve pain.