Impacts of physical exercise program and educational approach on cardiovascular risk factors in workers

• Main Authors: Mirian Werba Saldanha, Jorge Mota
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Universidade de Fortaleza 2012-12-01
• Series: Revista Brasileira em Promoção da Saúde
• Subjects: Occupational Health; Exercise; Health Education; Risk Factors; Cardiovascular Diseases.
• Online Access: http://www.unifor.br/images/pdfs/rbps/2012.4_artigo14.pdf

Objective: To analyze the impact of an exercise program and educational approach of cardiovascular risk factors among industrial workers, with emphasis on an analysis by gender. Methods: This was an interventional study. The sample consisted of employees of industries located in João Pessoa and Campina Grande, Paraíba, aged 18 and 60, totaling 334 employees, with 199 in the experimental group and 135 in control group. The intervention performed in six months, four days a week, lasting 15 minutes, consisted of exercises activation cardiopulmonary, neuromuscular activity and relaxation, associated with educational activities on major cardiovascular risks, developed once a week. We used the following methods of measurement: questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and blood pressure, and blood tests. Results: Significant repercussions were found in women from the experimental group: increased physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetable; in control group: increased risk in total cholesterol (HDL and LDL). The men from the experimental group, despite the reduction of risk behaviors, showed no significant differences in HDL cholesterol only. In the control group, there was a reduction of physical activity and increased risk in total cholesterol (HDL and LDL). Conclusions: The intervention had positive results being more effective in women by increasing physical activity and adequate consumption of fruits and vegetable. It is believed this type of intervention as a viable strategy for reducing cardiovascular risks.