Abstract
Objective
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised control trials that examined the effect of walking on risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Methods
Four electronic databases and reference lists were searched (Jan 1971–June 2012). Two authors identified randomised control trials of interventions ≥ 4 weeks in duration that included at least one group with walking as the only treatment and a no-exercise comparator group. Participants were inactive at baseline. Pooled results were reported as weighted mean treatment effects and 95% confidence intervals using a random effects model.
Results
32 articles reported the effects of walking interventions on cardiovascular disease risk factors. Walking increased aerobic capacity (3.04 mL/kg/min, 95% CI 2.48 to 3.60) and reduced systolic (− 3.58 mm Hg, 95% CI − 5.19 to − 1.97) and diastolic (− 1.54 mm Hg, 95% CI − 2.83 to − 0.26) blood pressure, waist circumference (− 1.51 cm, 95% CI − 2.34 to − 0.68), weight (− 1.37 kg, 95% CI − 1.75 to − 1.00), percentage body fat (− 1.22%, 95% CI − 1.70 to − 0.73) and body mass index (− 0.53 kg/m2, 95% CI − 0.72 to − 0.35) but failed to alter blood lipids.
Conclusions
Walking interventions improve many risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
This underscores the central role of walking in physical activity for health promotion.
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised control trials that examined the effect of walking on risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Methods
Four electronic databases and reference lists were searched (Jan 1971–June 2012). Two authors identified randomised control trials of interventions ≥ 4 weeks in duration that included at least one group with walking as the only treatment and a no-exercise comparator group. Participants were inactive at baseline. Pooled results were reported as weighted mean treatment effects and 95% confidence intervals using a random effects model.
Results
32 articles reported the effects of walking interventions on cardiovascular disease risk factors. Walking increased aerobic capacity (3.04 mL/kg/min, 95% CI 2.48 to 3.60) and reduced systolic (− 3.58 mm Hg, 95% CI − 5.19 to − 1.97) and diastolic (− 1.54 mm Hg, 95% CI − 2.83 to − 0.26) blood pressure, waist circumference (− 1.51 cm, 95% CI − 2.34 to − 0.68), weight (− 1.37 kg, 95% CI − 1.75 to − 1.00), percentage body fat (− 1.22%, 95% CI − 1.70 to − 0.73) and body mass index (− 0.53 kg/m2, 95% CI − 0.72 to − 0.35) but failed to alter blood lipids.
Conclusions
Walking interventions improve many risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
This underscores the central role of walking in physical activity for health promotion.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 34-43 |
| Journal | Preventive Medicine |
| Volume | 72 |
| Early online date | 8 Jan 2015 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2015 |
Keywords
- Walking
- Exercise
- Health
- Cardiovascular risk
Access to Document
- Murtagh_et_al_Effect_walking_risk_factors_Preventive_Medicine_2015
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published as Murtagh Elaine M., Nichols Linda, Mohammed Mohammed A., Holder Roger, Nevill Alan M., Murphy Marie H., The effect of walking on risk factors for cardiovascular disease: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised control trials, Preventive Medicine (2015), doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.12.041