Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The importance of physical exercise tends to be neglected in today’s modern \nlifestyle. This increased passive way of life conveys a notable increase in the \nprevalence of lifestyle disorders such as hypertension and vascular pathology which \nlead to cardiovascular strain. Taking this into account, the aim of this investigation \nwas to explore the empirical association between the heart health status of an active \nand sedentary South African lifestyle, thus intending to provide insight into impact of \nthe significant changes that are associated with the modernised society. \nWith the aforementioned objective in mind, four separate studies were completed: \nStudy 1 sought to investigate the cardiovascular status of 162 undergraduate \nuniversity students in order to determine whether, despite their youth, students \nremained at risk of cardiovascular complications. Astonishingly, results indicate that \na number of students between the ages of 18 and 25 in a university setting present \nwith preeminent cardiovascular risk. This data highlights some serious concerns \nregarding the cardiovascular health among the youth. \nIn sequel to study 1, study 2 permitted the comparison of a sedentary and active \nSouth African population, however some discrepancies originated due to the notable \nage difference between the groups. Nevertheless, results gained from this crosssectional \ncomparison between the populations indicate significantly higher cardiac \nrisk amongst the sedentary population. \nStudy 3 was conducted on 202 infantry service recruits between the ages of 18 and \n24 years. A pre- post intervention study design was incorporated in pursuit of \ndetermining the influence of an intense training programme on cardiovascular variables of a population over a 20 week time-frame. Results yielded from this study \nindicate a significant decrease in overall cardiovascular risk, as tested over three \nintervals (week 1, week 12, and week 20) during the 20 week training period. \nStudy 4 was designed as a longitudinal study with self-controls for within group \ncomparisons, as well as a comparative study between the two contrasting \npopulations. Thus, affording the opportunity to determine the impact of physical \nactivity on cardiovascular risk by comparing two divergent South African lifestyles \nover a 20-week time frame. The 202 infantry service recruits of study 3 served as the \nintervention group, while the control group comprised of 126 sedentary university \nstudents. Findings from this study conveyed strong association between the active \npopulation and decreased cardio-stress index and related heart health \nmeasurements in comparison to results of the sedentary population. \nThis research validates the positive correlation between a physically active lifestyle \nand improved heart health, thereby implying reduced cardiovascular risk. In the \ncombat against cardiovascular disease it is clear that focus should be shifted from \npharmacological treatment to behavioural prevention. \nAs a principle component of this preventative approach it is vital that individuals are \nequipped with screening technology that enables early detection and monitoring of \nprobable cardiovascular complications. Several novel ideas were introduced in this \nresearch, including the endorsement of the cardio-stress index method as an \nefficient non-invasive technique to directly observe cardiovascular stress.
Author: Evangeline Nortjé
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1659358963