Effect of physical activity on heart rate variability in normal weight, overweight and obese subjects: results from the SAPALDIA study.

ABSTRACT: Many studies have demonstrated an association of both a sedentary lifestyle and a high body mass index (BMI) with greater risk for cardiovascular disease. Within the prospective SAPALDIA cohort (Swiss cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults), we investigated whether regular exercise was protective against reduced heart rate variability (HRV), a clinically relevant predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and whether adverse effects of obesity and weight gain on HRV were modified by regular exercise. Twenty-four-hour electrocardiograms were recorded in 1,712 randomly selected SAPALDIA participants aged >or=50, for whom BMI was assessed in the years 1991 and 2001-2003. Other examinations included an interview investigating health status (especially respiratory a

SUBMITTER: Felber Dietrich D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3705554 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature