The effect of walking on risk factors for cardiovascular disease: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised control trials.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effect of walking on cardiovascular disease risk factors through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.
Results Summary
Walking interventions significantly improved aerobic capacity, reduced blood pressure, waist circumference, weight, body fat percentage, and BMI, but did not affect blood lipids. The findings highlight walking as an effective health promotion activity.
Population
Inactive participants at baseline.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (walking as the only treatment).
Duration
Interventions ≥ 4 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
walking interventions | increase | aerobic capacity | inactive participants | 3.04 mL/kg/min | increased | #1 |
walking interventions | decrease | systolic blood pressure | inactive participants | -3.58 mm Hg | reduced | #2 |
walking interventions | decrease | diastolic blood pressure | inactive participants | -1.54 mm Hg | reduced | #3 |
walking interventions | decrease | waist circumference | inactive participants | -1.51 cm | reduced | #4 |
walking interventions | decrease | weight | inactive participants | -1.37 kg | reduced | #5 |
walking interventions | decrease | percentage body fat | inactive participants | -1.22% | reduced | #6 |
walking interventions | decrease | body mass index | inactive participants | -0.53 kg/m(2) | reduced | #7 |
walking interventions | no change | blood lipids | inactive participants | no significant change | failed to alter | #8 |
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/m(2), 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.