Research Paper Title

Effectiveness of Exercise Intervention and Health Promotion on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Middle-aged Men. A Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background

Although cardiovascular disease has decreased, there is still potential for prevention as obesity and diabetes increase. Exercise has a positive effect on many cardiovascular risk factors, and it can significantly reduce the components of metabolic syndrome. The main challenge with exercise in primary care is how to succeed in motivating the patients at risk to change and increase their exercise habits. The objective of this study will be to modify the cardiovascular risk in middle-aged men, either through a health promotion intervention alone or combined with an exercise intervention.

Methods

During a two-year period the researchers willrecruit 300 men aged from 35 to 45 years with elevated cardiovascular risk (> two traditional risk factors). The men will be randomised into three arms: 1) a health promotion intervention alone, 2) both health promotion and exercise intervention, or 3) control with usual community care and delayed health promotion (these men received the intervention after one year). The main outcome measures will be the existence of metabolic syndrome and physical activity frequency (times per week). The participants will be assessed at baseline, and at 3, 6, and 12 months. The follow-up of the study will last 12 months.

Discussion

This pragmatic trial in primary health care aims to assess the effect of a health promotion programme with or without exercise intervention on cardiovascular risk and physical activity in middle-aged men. The results of this study may help to plan the primary care interventions to further reduce cardiovascular mortality.

Source: BMC Public Health 2013;13:125.

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