Morning walk curbs risk of heart disease

Morning walk curbs risk of heart disease








Morning walk may curb risk of heart disease (Getty Images)








A new study by scientists from University of Buffalo suggests that simple morning walk
to school can reduce stress reactivity in children during the school
day, curbing increases in heart rate and blood pressure that can lead to
cardiovascular disease later in life.

The researchers
found that children who took a simulated walk to school later
experienced smaller elevations in systolic blood pressure, heart rate
and perceived stress while taking a short exam than children who had
gotten a simulated ride to school.

Cardiovascular reactivity --
including changes in heart rate and blood pressure due to stress -- is
associated with the beginnings of cardiovascular disease in children,
and atherosclerosis -- the dangerous build-up of cholesterol, calcium,
fat and other substances in artery walls -- in adults.

"The
cardiovascular disease process begins in childhood, so if we can find
some way of stopping or slowing that process, that would provide an
important health benefit," said James Roemmich, UB associate professor
of pediatrics and exercise and nutrition science and senior investigator
on the study, which he completed with graduate students Maya Lambiase
and Heather Barry.

"We know that physical activity has a
protective effect on the development of cardiovascular disease, and one
way it may be doing so is by reducing stress reactivity," he added.

Roemmich said because it’s not known how long the protective effect of a
bout of exercise lasts, parents and educators should promote active
play time throughout the day.

"If it only lasts a couple of
hours, then it would be most beneficial if a child walked or biked to
school, then had recess during school, as well as a break at lunch, so
they had opportunities for physical activity throughout the day,"
Roemmich said.

"This would put them in a constantly protective
state against stressors that they''re incurring during the school day,
whether that be taking an exam, trying to fit in with peers or speaking
in front of classmates," Roemmich added.

Roemmich said his
study is the first to show that moderate-intensity exercise can reduce
children’s cardiovascular reactivity during later, stressful activities.
The research builds on his earlier work, which demonstrated that
higher-intensity interval exercise could afford similar protection in
children.