Effect of regular physical activity on non-lipid (novel) cardiovascular risk factors

Cardiovascular - coronary heart disease, causing heart attack and heart failure is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. The most important risk factors for CVD are well-established and physical activity has long been considered the cornerstone of interventions and has shown extremely important in reducing the burden of this disease. The aim of this study was to examine the association between activity and inactivity and non-lipid CVD risk factors in healthy military recruits.

Selected hormones and variables such as testosterone, free testosterone, Vitamin D, homocysteine, folic acid, with the inflammatory cytokines such as hsCRP, TNF-α and IL-6 were assessed in two groups (active = 50, inactive = 50), randomly matched by a questionnaire. Relationships between some measured variables and CVD risk factors were determined using simple correlation procedures.

Physically active subjects had significantly lower results of homocysteine (14.3±1.9 vs. 16.5±3.7, p < 0.000) and interleukin-6 (2.9.±5.3 vs. 6±8.2, p< 0.025) and tended to have a nearly significantly higher free testosterone level (13.1±7.1 vs. 11±5.3, p = 0.08). Significant correlations were found between BMI, WC, tHcy, and the corresponding risk factors; and also between hsCRP and IL-6, as well as TT and FT.

Reducing the risk factors of developing CVD events such as homocysteine and interleukin-6, together with increasing free testosterone and significantly preventing its progression, clearly serve to underscore the beneficial properties of physical activity and to promote its effectiveness as a support means for healthier lifestyles in the community and, particularly, among military personnel.