Exercise and risk factors for arteriosclerosis in 42 married couples followed over four years

Forty-two married couples (30-69 years of age) were followed for 4 years with yearly measurements of risk factors for arteriosclerosis. Advice was given concerning relaxed, enjoyable exercise (mainly running at 10-13 km hr-1). Each person served as his own control by comparison of the first and the last yearly status. Both the group of women and the group of men significantly improved (two sided p less than 0.005) their maximum oxygen uptake, and reduced their blood glucose concentration (two-sided p less than 0.01). S-cholesterol (for the group of men) was reduced statistically significantly (two-sided p less than 0.01). At the first examination the groups of women and men with the lowest maximum oxygen uptake (group I) had higher average values for risk factors than the more active groups (group II). At the final examination almost all persons had improved their maximum oxygen uptake, so none of the other risk factor differences between groups I and II were statistically significant. Both the women and the men improved their well being and their health profile as evaluated in terms of risk factors for arteriosclerosis. Exhaustive exercise was not necessary for beneficial effects.