The effect of walking on fitness, fatness and resting blood pressure: A meta-analysis of randomised, controlled trials

Marie H. Murphy, Alan M. Nevill, Elaine M. Murtagh, Roger L. Holder

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this review was to perform a meta-analysis on walking intervention studies in order to quantify the magnitude and direction of walking-induced changes that may alter selected cardiovascular risk factors. Method: Twenty-four randomised controlled trials of walking were assessed for quality on a three-point scale. Data from these studies were pooled and treatment effects (TEs) were calculated for six traditional cardiovascular risk variables: body weight, body mass index (BMI), percentage body fat, aerobic fitness (VO2 max in ml kg- 1 min- 1) and resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Weighted TEs were analysed using a random effects model with weights obtained using the inverse of the individual TE variances. Random effects models were used to investigate the influence of both study quality and exercise volume (< 150 vs. ≥ 150 min week- 1). Results: Random effects modelling showed that walking interventions increased VO2 max and decreased body weight, BMI, percent body fat and resting diastolic blood pressure in previously sedentary adults (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence that healthy but sedentary individuals who take up a programme of regular brisk walking improves several known risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)377-385
Number of pages9
JournalPreventive Medicine
Volume44
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Blood pressure
  • Cardiovascular risk
  • Fatness
  • Fitness
  • Meta-analysis
  • Walking

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