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In a previous paper, as the first of a series of three on the importance of characteristics and modalities of physical activity (PA) and exercise in the management of cardiovascular health within the general population, we concluded that, in the population at large, PA and aerobic exercise capacity clearly are inversely associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and that a dose–response curve on cardiovascular outcome has been demonstrated in most studies. More and more evidence is accumulated that engaging in regular PA and exercise interventions are essential components for reducing the severity of cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity and abdominal fat, high BP, metabolic risk factors, and systemic inflammation. However, it is less clear whether and which type of PA and exercise intervention (aerobic exercise, dynamic resistive exercise, or both) or characteristic of exercise (frequency, intensity, time or duration, and volume) would yield more benefit for each separate risk factor. The present paper, therefore, will review and make recommendations for PA and exercise training in the management of cardiovascular health in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors. The guidance offered in this series of papers is aimed at medical doctors, health practitioners, kinesiologists, physiotherapists and exercise physiologists, politicians, public health policy makers, and individual members of the public. Based on previous and the current literature overviews, recommendations from the European Association on Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation are formulated regarding type, volume, and intensity of PA and regarding appropriate risk evaluation during exercise in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors.

Over the last decades, more and more evidence is accumulated that physical activity (PA) and exercise interventions are essential components in primary and secondary prevention for cardiovascular disease. However, it is less clear whether and which type of PA and exercise intervention (aerobic exercise, dynamic resistive exercise, or both) or characteristic of exercise (frequency, intensity, time or duration, and volume) would yield more benefit in achieving cardiovascular health. The present paper, as the first of a series of three, will make specific recommendations on the importance of these characteristics for cardiovascular health in the population at large. The guidance offered in this series of papers is aimed at medical doctors, health practitioners, kinesiologists, physiotherapists and exercise physiologists, politicians, public health policy makers, and the individual member of the public. Based on previous and the current literature, recommendations from the European Association on Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation are formulated regarding type, volume, and intensity of PA and exercise.

ObjectivesTo examine whether prolonged moderate exercising by untrained middle aged individuals of both sexes affects the plasma ratio of unsaturated to saturated (U/S) fatty acids in the non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and triacylglycerol (TG) fractions.MethodsTwenty two healthy untrained volunteers (eleven men and eleven premenopausal women), aged 35-55, exercised on bicycles at 50-55% maximal heart rate reserve (estimated 61% maximal oxygen uptake) for one hour. Pre- and post-exercise blood samples were analysed for lactate, glucose, glycerol, individual NEFAs and TG acyl groups, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, urea, cortisol, and testosterone. Biopsy specimens of adipose tissue were analysed for TG acyl group composition.ResultsSerum total NEFAs increased significantly whereas total TG decreased significantly in both sexes. Changes in individual fatty acids, in both the NEFA and TG fractions, generally paralleled changes in the total pool but were not proportionate. As a result, U/S NEFAs increased in both sexes, although significantly only in women. The shift was in the direction of the composition of the major source of blood NEFAs--that is, adipose tissue TG. U/S acyl groups of TG also increased in both sexes, although significantly only in men.ConclusionsProlonged moderate exercise increases the U/S ratio of serum NEFAs and TG. This may add to the beneficial effects of exercise given the protective role of unsaturated fatty acids against coronary heart disease.

The acute effect of 30-min swimming at a moderate speed, at three water temperatures (20, 26 and 32 degrees C) on plasma thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (F.T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and cortisol concentrations was studied in 15 élite male swimmers. Blood was sampled before and immediately after the events. The heart rate, which was continuously monitored during exercise, had the highest response at 32 degrees C and the lowest at 20 degrees C. Blood lactate concentrations were found to be similar after the three tests. Plasma TSH and F.T4 were found to be significantly increased (by 90.4% and 45.7% respectively) after swimming at 20 degrees C, decreased at 32 degrees C (by 22.3% and 10.1% respectively) and unchanged at 26 degrees C. Exercise at these three water temperatures did not significantly affect T3. Finally, plasma cortisol was found to be increased after swimming at 32 degrees C (by 82.8%) and 26 degrees C (by 46.9%), but decreased at 20 degrees C (by 6.1%).

Patients with end-stage renal disease on haemodialysis (HD) have limited work capacity. Many structural and functional alterations in skeletal muscles contribute to this disability.