Review : regular brisk walking improves cardiovascular risk factors in healthy sedentary adults

QUESTION In healthy sedentary adults, does regular brisk walking improve cardiovascular risk factors? METHODS Data sources: Medline and Web of Science (1971 to September 2004) and reference lists. Study selection and assessment: English-language, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with duration ⩾4 weeks that assessed the effects of walking as the only intervention on changes in cardiovascular risk factors in sedentary, but otherwise healthy, adults. 24 RCTs (n = 1128, mean age 52 y, 83% women) met the selection criteria. The mean length of the walking programmes was 35 weeks (range 8–104 wk). On average, walking was done 4.4 days/week for 38 minutes per session. The mean intensity of the walking interventions was 70% of predicted maximum heart rate or 56% of VO2 max. Quality of individual studies was assessed based on allocation concealment. Outcomes: cardiovascular fitness (VO2 max), body weight, percent body fat, body mass index, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP). MAIN RESULTS Brisk walking increased cardiovascular fitness and reduced body weight, body mass index, body fat composition, and diastolic BP more than the control condition (table). No effect on systolic BP was observed (table). CONCLUSION In healthy sedentary adults, regular brisk walking improves cardiovascular fitness, body composition, and diastolic blood pressure.