Associations among walking performance, physical activity, and subclinical cardiovascular disease.
An objective measure of walking performance could have several potential applications in clinical settings. The cross-sectional relationships among long distance corridor walk (LDCW) time, physical activity, and subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) measures were examined before group randomization in 492 participants (mean age, 57.0+/-2.9 years) from the Women On the Move Through Activity and Nutrition (WOMAN) study, a randomized clinical trial involving postmenopausal women. Longer walk times were significantly associated with higher body mass index (P<0001), average waist circumference (P<0001), and lower levels of physical activity (P<002). The proportion of detectable coronary artery calcification and median aortic pulse wave velocity levels were significantly higher among those with slower walk times (P<002 and P<.001, respectively). Findings from the current report support the utility of the LDCW to identify women at higher risk for CVD who may be candidates for further cardiovascular testing or intensive lifestyle intervention.
Pettee
Kelley K
KK
Department of Exercise and Wellness, Arizona State Univerisity, Mesa, AZ 85212, USA. kelley.pettee@asu.edu
Larouere
Beth M
BM
Kriska
Andrea M
AM
Johnson
B Delia
BD
Orchard
Trevor J
TJ
Goodpaster
Bret H
BH
Conroy
Molly B
MB
Mackey
Rachel H
RH
Underwood
Darcy A
DA
Kuller
Lewis H
LH
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*