Reduction of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and long lasting walking habit in sedentary male and female subjects following one year of guided walking

Aims To analyze the change in risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in sedentary subjects following 1 year of guided walking and check the maintenance of the walking habit 16 months after the end of the project. Methods A total of 650 sedentary subjects (442 women, 208 men) were admitted to the project. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and walking speed were determined at enrollment and redetermined after 1 year in the subjects completing the project. Daily groups of guided walking were organized. Results In the 326 subjects completing the project, highly significant reduction in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and increase in walking speed were documented. Out of the 326 finishers, 266 answered a questionnaire on the minutes of walking they were doing each week, 16 months after the end of the project: 258 declared 170 ± 110 min while eight declared to be back to inactivity. Conclusion Guided walking was followed by highly significant reduction in risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and improved walking speed. Seventy-seven percent of the finishers were maintaining the walking practice 16 months after the end of the project, indicating that guided walking programs can be effective in permanently modifying the lifestyle of sedentary subjects.