Publication:

Effect of moderate-intensity training on cardiovascular risk factors in secondary school-age adolescent males in Khartoum

Background The health benefits of regular physical activity are irrefutable; and everybody can benefit from being active. The evidence is overwhelming with risk reductions of at least 20% to 30% for more than 25 chronic medical conditions and premature mortality. Even higher risk reductions (i.e., ≥ 50%) are observed when objective measures of physical fitness are taken. International physical activity guidelines generally recommend 150 minutes per week of moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity for physical fitness and reduction of risk of chronic diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of moderate intensity exercise on cardiovascular risk factors in secondary school-age adolescent males.

Methods In this interventional study 47 secondary school age adolescent males with age range from 16 to 19 years were recruited. All subjects underwent moderate intensity exercise program for two months. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and lipid profiles were assessed before and after going through the course of moderate intensity exercise training. Risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) was determined by Framingham, ASSIGN and British national formulary scoring systems.

Results this study showed a significant reduction in heart rate (p≤0.001), blood pressure, lipid accumulation product (p=0.01) and visceral adiposity index (p=0.012) after moderate intensity exercise also moderate intensity exercise training reducing the risk of MI (p=0.042). On the other hand, showed there is no significant effect on weight, BMI, waist circumference and lipid profile,

Conclusions The moderate intensity exercise training reducing the incidence of hypertension and reducing the risk of MI.