Low- to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise did not attenuate the progression of carotid intima-media thickness compared with usual activity in middle-aged men over 6 years (P>0.2).
RCT (n=140)
randomized
No
Does progressive aerobic exercise reduce the progression of atherosclerosis in middle-aged men?
A 6-year aerobic exercise intervention did not significantly slow the progression of carotid intima-media thickness in middle-aged men overall, though a potential benefit was observed in those not taking statins.
p-value: p=>0.2
BACKGROUND: Although regular physical activity is recommended for prevention of cardiovascular diseases, no data are available on its antiatherosclerotic effects in the general population. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether progressive aerobic exercise compared with usual activity slows progression of atherosclerosis in men. DESIGN: A 6-year randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Eastern Finland. PARTICIPANTS: 140 middle-aged men randomly selected from the population registry. INTERVENTION: Low- to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. MEASUREMENTS: Atherosclerosis was quantitated ultrasonographically as the mean intima-media thickness in the carotid artery at baseline and at years 2 through 6. RESULTS: On the basis of intention-to-treat analyses, a 19.5% net increase (P 0.2). The progression of intima-media thickness in the carotid artery did not differ between the study groups (P > 0.2). A subgroup analysis that excluded men taking statins showed that the 6-year progression of intima-media thickness, adjusted for smoking and annual measures of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, systolic blood pressure, and waist circumference, was 40% less in the exercise group (0.12 mm 95% CI, -0.010 to 0.26 mm) than in the control group (0.20 mm CI, 0.05 to 0.35 mm). LIMITATIONS: Only middle-aged white men were included. The intervention included mainly aerobic exercises. CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic physical exercise did not attenuate progression of atherosclerosis, except in a subgroup of men not taking statins.
Rauramaa et al. (Tue,) conducted a rct in Atherosclerosis (n=140). Low- to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise vs. Usual activity was evaluated on Progression of mean intima-media thickness in the carotid artery (p=>0.2). Low- to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise did not attenuate the progression of carotid intima-media thickness compared with usual activity in middle-aged men over 6 years (P>0.2).