Exercise intervention on cardiovascular disease risk factors in a university population in the United Arab Emirates
-
Sarah Dalibalta
,
Fatemeh Mirshafiei
Abstract
Objective
1) To assess the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in a university population, and 2) to investigate the effects of an 8-week exercise intervention on CVD risk factors.
Methods
Forty-six students participated in this study. Baseline cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max). Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and triglycerides were measured. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness were also assessed. Participants performed 8weeks of exercise consisting of 60 min of moderate-high intensity exercise three times a week, and all parameters were repeated following the 8-week program.
Results
Participants were divided into an apparently healthy control group (BMI < 25 kg/m2) and an overweight/obese experimental group (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). Both groups had low cardiorespiratory fitness and clear evidence of risk for CVD. Following the 8-week program, participants demonstrated significant improvement in biochemical parameters and in overall fitness (p < 0.05). WHRs decreased whilst peak oxygen volumes increased when comparing baseline and post-exercise values (p < 0.05). BMI decreased in both groups following exercise (p < 0.05). Systolic BP was surprisingly elevated in nearly 30% of participants, but was comparatively lower in the control group (p < 0.05). There was a clear increase in HDL-cholesterol values post-intervention (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Early detection of CVD risk factors, particularly in a young population, can lead to earlier prevention of disease through lifestyle changes. Moreover, short-term exercise can have important effects on reducing CVD risk factors, improving body composition and overall cardiorespiratory fitness.
Funding source: American University of Sharjah
Award Identifier / Grant number: FRG14-2-08
Funding statement: The authors are thankful to the American University of Sharjah for funding this work (Grant#: FRG14-2-08).
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Solmaz Karimi and Omar Guessoum for their assistance in data collection during this study. We would also like to thank all the participants who dedicated themselves to this study for 8 weeks.
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
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- Characteristics of the life habits of obese students at one of Japan's National Colleges of Technology
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- Exploring maternal attitudes towards adolescent contraception: implications for use of LARC
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- Pubertal assessment: a national survey of attitudes, knowledge and practices of the US pediatric trainees
- Association between perceived parental style and depressive symptoms among adolescents in Hulu Langat District, Malaysia
- Exercise intervention on cardiovascular disease risk factors in a university population in the United Arab Emirates
