L'attività motoria acquatica come nuovo approccio terapico alla cardio-diabetologia

The role of general physical activity on improving cardiometabolic profile and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes is widely demonstrated. However, little is known about the effects of specific water exercise program in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the aims of this pilot study were to evaluated the effects of a supervised water training program in subjects affected by type 2 diabetes. Methods: eighteen men affected by type 2 diabetes (51,4±9,38 years), were enrolled in a program of 12 weeks of supervised water training. We assess Cardiometabolic Profile (echocardiography, glycemic, lipidemic and anthropometric profille, blood pressure levels and cardiopulmonary exercise test), and Quality of Life and Physical Activity Levels (Short-form Health Survey 36 with items (SF-36), Problem Areas in Diabetes Questionnaire (PAID) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)) before and after 12-weeks of a supervised water exercise program. Results: The results showed a significant improvement of cardiovascular and metabolic assessments (aerobic capacity, work, blood pressure, glycemic, anthropometric and lipidemic profile, and diastolic function) and an increasing in quality of life and physical activity levels (Sf-36, PAID, energy expenditure in general physical activity). Discussion: Our findings showed that structured and supervised physical activity performed in water, produced benefits both in improving of the cardiometabolic profile and the HRQoL and also in increasing of the physical activity levels in subjects affected by type 2 diabetes

L'attività motoria acquatica come nuovo approccio terapico alla cardio-diabetologia

The role of general physical activity on improving cardiometabolic profile and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes is widely demonstrated. However, little is known about the effects of specific water exercise program in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the aims of this pilot study were to evaluated the effects of a supervised water training program in subjects affected by type 2 diabetes. Methods: eighteen men affected by type 2 diabetes (51,4±9,38 years), were enrolled in a program of 12 weeks of supervised water training. We assess Cardiometabolic Profile (echocardiography, glycemic, lipidemic and anthropometric profille, blood pressure levels and cardiopulmonary exercise test), and Quality of Life and Physical Activity Levels (Short-form Health Survey 36 with items (SF-36), Problem Areas in Diabetes Questionnaire (PAID) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)) before and after 12-weeks of a supervised water exercise program. Results: The results showed a significant improvement of cardiovascular and metabolic assessments (aerobic capacity, work, blood pressure, glycemic, anthropometric and lipidemic profile, and diastolic function) and an increasing in quality of life and physical activity levels (Sf-36, PAID, energy expenditure in general physical activity). Discussion: Our findings showed that structured and supervised physical activity performed in water, produced benefits both in improving of the cardiometabolic profile and the HRQoL and also in increasing of the physical activity levels in subjects affected by type 2 diabetes

Effects of metformin and exercise training, alone or in association, on cardio-pulmonary performance and quality of life in insulin resistance patients

BACKGROUND: Metformin (MET) therapy exerts positive effects improving glucose tolerance and preventing the evolution toward diabetes in insulin resistant patients. It has been shown that adding MET to exercise training does not improve insulin sensitivity. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of MET and exercise training alone or in combination on maximal aerobic capacity and, as a secondary end-point on quality of life indexes in individuals with insulin resistance. METHODS: 75 insulin resistant patients were enrolled and subsequently assigned to MET (M), MET with exercise training (MEx), and exercise training alone (Ex). 12-weeks of supervised exercise-training program was carried out in both Ex and MEx groups. Cardiopulmonary exercise test and SF-36 to evaluate Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) was performed at basal and after 12-weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Cardiopulmonary exercise test showed a significant increase of peak VO2 in Ex and MEx whereas M showed no improvement of peak VO2 (∆ VO2 [CI 95%] Ex +0.26 [0.47 to 0.05] l/min; ∆ VO2 MEx +0.19 [0.33 to 0.05] l/min; ∆ VO2 M -0.09 [-0.03 to -0.15] l/min; M vs E p < 0.01; M vs MEx p < 0.01; MEx vs Ex p = ns). SF-36 highlighted a significant increase in general QoL index in the MEx (58.3 ± 19 vs 77.3 ± 16; p < 0.01) and Ex (62.1 ± 17 vs 73.7 ± 12; p < 0.005) groups. CONCLUSIONS: We evidenced that cardiopulmonary negative effects showed by MET therapy may be counterbalanced with the combination of exercise training. Given that exercise training associated with MET produced similar effects to exercise training alone in terms of maximal aerobic capacity and HRQoL, programmed exercise training remains the first choice therapy in insulin resistant patients

Cardiovascular Risk Perception and Knowledge among Italian Women: Lessons from IGENDA Protocol

A multicenter, cross-sectional observational study (Italian GENder Differences in Awareness of Cardiovascular risk, IGENDA study) was carried out to evaluate the perception and knowledge of cardiovascular risk among Italian women. An anonymous questionnaire was completed by 4454 women (44.3 ± 14.1 years). The 70% of respondents correctly identified cardiovascular disease (CVD) as the leading cause of death. More than half of respondents quoted cancer as the greatest current and future health problem of women of same age. Sixty percent of interviewed women considered CVD as an almost exclusively male condition. Although respondents showed a good knowledge of the major cardiovascular risk factors, the presence of cardiovascular risk factors was not associated with higher odds of identifying CVD as the biggest cause of death. Less than 10% of respondents perceived themselves as being at high CVD risk, and the increased CVD risk perception was associated with ageing, higher frequency of cardiovascular risk factors and disease, and a poorer self-rated health status. The findings of this study highlight the low perception of cardiovascular risk in Italian women and suggest an urgent need to enhance knowledge and perception of CVD risk in women as a real health problem and not just as a as a life-threatening threat

Mediterranean diet impact on cardiovascular diseases: a narrative review

: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for more than 17 million deaths per year worldwide. It has been estimated that the influence of lifestyle on CVD mortality amounts to 13.7% for smoking, 13.2% for poor diet, and 12% for inactive lifestyle. These results deeply impact both the healthy status of individuals and their skills in working. The impact of CVD on productivity loss accounts for the 24% in total costs for CVD management.Mediterranean diet (MedD) can positively impact on natural history of CVD. It is characterized by a relatively high consumption of inexpensive and genuine food such as cereals, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish, fresh fruits, and olive oil as the principal source of fat, low meat consumption and low-to-moderate consumption of milk, dairy products, and wine.Its effects on cardiovascular health are related to the significant improvements in arterial stiffness. Peripheral artery disease, coronary artery disease, and chronic heart failure are all positively influenced by the MedD. Furthermore, MedD lowers the risk of sudden cardiac death due to arrhythmias.The present narrative review aims to analyze the effects of MedD on CVD

Nordic Walking for People with Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review

<p>It is well established that exercise is the cornerstone of rehabilitation programs for  people with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although traditional and standardized forms of exercise have significant cardiovascular (CV) benefits, emerging and non-conventional physical activities such as Nordic walking (NW), may offer additional/incremental health benefits.</p><p>The aim of this systematic review is to appraise research evidence on the effects of NW on the management of people with CVD.</p> <p><i>Procedures:</i> A comprehensive literature search of clinical databases (Pubmed, Medline, Scopus and Web of Science) will be conduct to identify any relevant English language study published from inception to 2016 and reference lists were hand searched. To be included in the review, the articles needed to involve: (a) People with CVD and (b) Analysis of acute and long-term effects of NW.</p><p>Results and conclusion will be product at the end of analysis.</p