The effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on markers of atherosclerosis. A narrative review of meta-analyses and systematic reviews.

Background: Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory vascular disease with lipid metabolism abnormalities, serves as a major pathological foundation for ischemic coronary heart disease (CHD). As lifestyle-related habits transform to sedentarism and unhealthy eating, the incidence of atherosclerosis increases. The beneficial impact of physical activity on the cardiovascular system is well-documented and widely acknowledged. Major health organisations strongly recommend regular participation in aerobic exercise for individuals to reduce all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity, whereas resistance exercise is suggested with caution. Method and Material: A literature search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was performed where 9 meta-analyses were retrieved, published in the English language from the past 10 years. This narrative review aims to evaluate the latest scientific evidence regarding the role of aerobic and/or resistance exercise in relation to atherosclerosis development, through the evaluation of its effect on lipids, and inflammatory markers. Results: The findings of the studies summarised here are inconsistent concerning which type of exercise exerts the maximum effect on atherosclerotic biomarkers. There is a moderate level of evidence suggesting that a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise is likely to provide the greatest benefit. Conclusions: Nevertheless, minimising sedentary behaviour on a population level, lowers the risk of several major chronic diseases, thereby decreasing healthcare costs. Thus, effective interventions to increase physical activity levels or reduce sedentary behaviour should be implemented.