Effect of long-term physical activity practice after cardiac rehabilitation on some risk factors

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term physical activity practice after a cardiac rehabilitation program on weight, physical capacity and arterial compliance. The Dijon Physical Activity Score was used to identify two groups: sedentary and active. Weight, distance at the 6-min walk test and the small artery elasticity indice were measured at the beginning, at the end of the rehabilitation program and at 18.3 ± 5.3 months after. After the cardiac rehabilitation, sedentary patients showed a significant increase in weight and a significant reduction in distance on the 6-min walk test and in the arterial compliance. Active patients did not show any alteration in these parameters. We concluded that, after a cardiac rehabilitation program, the sedentary lifestyle has a negative influence on weight, physical capacity and arterial compliance, which are major markers of risk factors. In contrast, the practice of physical activity preserves these parameters.