TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of frequency, intensity, duration and volume of walking interventions on CVD risk factors
T2 - a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of randomised controlled trials among inactive healthy adults
AU - Oja, Peka
AU - Kelly, Paul
AU - Murtagh, Elaine
AU - Murphy, Marie
AU - Foster, Charlie
AU - Titze, Sylvia
PY - 2018/6
Y1 - 2018/6
N2 - Objective. Walking interventions in healthy populations show clinically relevant improvements for many cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. We aimed to assess the changes in CVD risk factors and the dose-response relationship between frequency, intensity, duration and volume of walking based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Design. A systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression.
Data sources. Four electronic databases searched from January 1971 to April 2017.
Eligibility criteria. Walking RCTs reporting one or more CVD risk factor outcomes; trials including at least one group with walking intervention and a no-walking control group; duration ≥8 weeks; participants ≥18 years old, inactive but healthy; risk factors assessed pre- and post-intervention; English language articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Results. Thirty-seven RCTs, involving 2001 participants (81% women), and assessing 13 CVD risk factors were identified. Pooled meta-analysis showed favorable effects (p≤0.05) of walking intervention for seven CVD risk factors (body mass, BMI, body fat, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting glucose, and VO2max). There were no significant effects (p>0.05) for waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and four blood lipid variables.
Despite testing 91 possible dose-response relationships, linear meta-regression analysis adjusted for age indicated just 7 (or 7.7%) statistically significant findings.
Summary/conclusion. Walking interventions benefit a number of CVD risk factors. Despite multiple studies and tested metrics only a few dose-response relationships were identified and the possibility of chance findings cannot be ruled out. There is insufficient evidence to quantify the frequency, length, bout duration, intensity, and volume of the walking required to improve CVD risk factors.
AB - Objective. Walking interventions in healthy populations show clinically relevant improvements for many cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. We aimed to assess the changes in CVD risk factors and the dose-response relationship between frequency, intensity, duration and volume of walking based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Design. A systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression.
Data sources. Four electronic databases searched from January 1971 to April 2017.
Eligibility criteria. Walking RCTs reporting one or more CVD risk factor outcomes; trials including at least one group with walking intervention and a no-walking control group; duration ≥8 weeks; participants ≥18 years old, inactive but healthy; risk factors assessed pre- and post-intervention; English language articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Results. Thirty-seven RCTs, involving 2001 participants (81% women), and assessing 13 CVD risk factors were identified. Pooled meta-analysis showed favorable effects (p≤0.05) of walking intervention for seven CVD risk factors (body mass, BMI, body fat, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting glucose, and VO2max). There were no significant effects (p>0.05) for waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and four blood lipid variables.
Despite testing 91 possible dose-response relationships, linear meta-regression analysis adjusted for age indicated just 7 (or 7.7%) statistically significant findings.
Summary/conclusion. Walking interventions benefit a number of CVD risk factors. Despite multiple studies and tested metrics only a few dose-response relationships were identified and the possibility of chance findings cannot be ruled out. There is insufficient evidence to quantify the frequency, length, bout duration, intensity, and volume of the walking required to improve CVD risk factors.
KW - walking
KW - cardiovascular disease risk factors
KW - health
KW - dose-response
KW - meta-analysis
U2 - 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098558
DO - 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098558
M3 - Article (Academic Journal)
C2 - 29858464
SN - 0306-3674
VL - 52
SP - 769
EP - 775
JO - British Journal of Sports Medicine
JF - British Journal of Sports Medicine
IS - 12
ER -
