Health­-Enhancing Physical Activity in Cardiovascular Risk Factors Management in Adult Men

Abstract

The most significant risk factors for CVD were identified, which include neuro­emotional overload, bad habits (smoking and inappropriate nutrition), arterial hypertension, overweight, and low physical activity. The simultaneous presence of multiple risk factors, most of which are interrelated, increases the overall risk of CVD. The risk of CVD was absent in 16.6% of the men, 59.1% of the men had minimum risk, 18.2% – obvious and 6.1% – significant risk to develop CVD. The main risk factors for CVD were found to belong to controlled group. To modify the risk factors for CVD, a program of physical activity was used, which included Nordic walking, strength training, and stretching. The workouts lasted for 60 minutes and were done three times a week over 6 months. Exercise programs were individualized based on the level of physical fitness through manipulation of the variables of training. Implementation of the program resulted in significant changes in physical health and reduced CVD risk, including reduced blood pressure and body weight, abandonment of bad habits, increased motor activity, and improved resistance to stress. Furthermore, the number of men who had more than one CVD risk factor decreased.