[Physical activity in the prevention of arteriosclerosis]

Epidemiological investigations show that morbidity rate and severity of coronary sclerosis seem to decrease in regular physical activity. The influence of regular physical activity on coronary factors of risk, such as hypertension, fat parameters, glucose tolerance, and uric acid is summarized with the help of literary data. An essential intermediary role seems to belong to the height of the insulin levels in the metabolic factors of risk. The result of own investigations was that by training basic and stimulated insulin secretion clearly diminish. Apart from this, during physical load particularly an increased rate of lipolysis is reduced during physical load. Together with a decrease of lipogenesis the two factors might play an essential role in the prevention of coronary sclerosis by regular physical activity.