Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2013; 34(08): 727-731
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1331172
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Following a 758 km Pilgrimage

M. B. Harris
1   Kinesiology & Health Sciences, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, United States
,
M. R. Wolf
1   Kinesiology & Health Sciences, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 18 October 2012

Publication Date:
04 February 2013 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Millions of people participate in pilgrimages around the world such as the Camino de Santiago. However, few studies have examined the effects of this type of activity on cardiovascular disease risk factors. The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors: c-reactive protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, and cardiorespiratory fitness levels following a 758 km, 30-day pilgrimage. 11 healthy male and female subjects between the ages of 18–56 participated in pre and post pilgrimage blood pressure and blood tests, as well as pre, during, and post pilgrimage weight, skin-fold, and aerobic fitness testing. Heart rate monitors and pedometers provided maximum, average, and minimum heart rates as well as distances covered during the exercise. The mean daily walking distance was 25 km at an average intensity of 55.96% (±1.93%) of maximum heart rate. Statistically significant changes were seen in body weight (79.3 kg±3.4 pre vs. 76.4±2.98 post, p<0.05), body fat percentage (24.48%±2.31% pre vs. 23.01%±2.12 post, p<0.05), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (119±3.82/75±2.73 pre vs. 110±5.07/69±3.10 post, p<0.05), as well as cardiorespiratory fitness. These data suggest that some cardiovascular disease risk factors can be improved in healthy subjects participating in a low intensity, long duration, high frequency activity such as a walking pilgrimage.

Key words

exercise - risk factors - Camino de Santiago - cardiovascular
 

  • References

  • 1 Estadísticas – http://peregrinossantiago.es/esp/post-peregrinacion/estadisticas/ accessed 7 March 2012
    PubMed
  • 2 Allender S, Scarborough P, Peto V, Rayner M, Leal J, Luengo-Fernandez R, Gray A. European Cardiovascular Disease Statistics. Brussels: European Heart Network; 2008
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 3 Bemelmans RH, Coll B, Faber DR, Westerink J, Blommaert PP, Spiering W, Visseren FL. Vascular and metabolic effects of 12 days intensive walking to Santiago de Compostela. Atherosclerosis 2010; 212: 621-627
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Berlin JA, Colditz GA. A meta-analysis of physical activity in the prevention of coronary heart disease. Am J Epidemiol 1990; 132: 612-628
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Blaber AP, Walsh ML, Carter JB, Seedhouse EL, Walker VE. Cardiopulmonary physiology and responses of ultramarathon athletes to prolonged exercise. Can J Appl Physiol 2004; 29: 544-563
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Cook NR, Cohen J, Hebert PR, Taylor JO, Hennekens CH. Implications of small reductions in diastolic blood pressure for primary prevention. Arch Intern Med 1995; 155: 701-709
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Durnin JV, Womersley J. Body fat assessed from total body density and its estimation from skinfold thickness: measurements on 481 men and women aged from 16 to 72 years. Br J Nutr 1974; 32: 77-97
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Garber CE, Blissmer B, Deschenes MR, Franklin BA, Lamonte MJ, Lee I. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2011; 43: 1334
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Haennel RG, Lemire F. Physical activity to prevent cardiovascular disease. How much is enough?. Can Fam Physician 2002; 48: 65-71
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Update – ethical standards in sport and exercise science research. Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 819-821
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Hopkins M, King NA, Blundell JE. Acute and long-term effects of exercise on appetite control: is there any benefit for weight control?. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2010; 13: 635-640
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Kobayashi J, Murase Y, Asano A, Nohara A, Kawashiri MA, Inazu A, Yamagishi M, Mabuchi H. Effect of walking with a pedometer on serum lipid and adiponectin levels in Japanese middle-aged men. J Atheroscler Thromb 2006; 13: 197-201
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Murphy MH, Nevill AM, Murtagh EM, Holder RL. The effect of walking on fitness, fatness and resting blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomised, controlled trials. Prev Med 2007; 44: 377-385
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 14 Paillard T, Lafont C, Costes-Salon MC, Dupui P, Riviere D, Vellas B. Cholesterol reduction and increased cardiovascular fitness following a 12 weeks brisk walking. J Nutr Health Aging 2002; 6: 138-140
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Pearson TA, Blair SN, Daniels SR, Eckel RH, Fair JM, Fortmann SP, Franklin BA, Goldstein LB, Greenland P, Grundy SM, Hong Y, Miller NH, Lauer RM, Ockene IS, Sacco RL, Sallis Jr JF, Smith Jr SC, Stone NJ, Taubert KA. AHA Guidelines for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: 2002 Update: Consensus Panel Guide to Comprehensive Risk Reduction for Adult Patients Without Coronary or Other Atherosclerotic Vascular Diseases. American Heart Association Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee. Circulation 2002; 106: 388-391
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Pestell RG, Hurley DM, Vandongen R. Biochemical and hormonal changes during a 1 000 km ultramarathon. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 1989; 16: 353-361
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Petter M, Blanchard C, Kemp KA, Mazoff AS, Ferrier SN. Correlates of exercise among coronary heart disease patients: review, implications and future directions. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 2009; 16: 515-526
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Plaisance EP, Grandjean PW. Physical activity and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Sports Med 2006; 36: 443-458
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Rhodes RE, Fiala B. Building motivation and sustainability into the prescription and recommendations for physical activity and exercise therapy: the evidence. Physiother Theory Pract 2009; 25: 424-441
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Rubio R, Sosa V. El Camino de Santiago in the service of cardiovascular rehabilitation. Rev Esp Cardiol 2008; 61: 435-436
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Semple SJ, Smith LL, McKune AJ, Hoyos J, Mokgethwa B, San Juan AF, Lucia A, Wadee AA. Serum concentrations of C reactive protein, alpha1 antitrypsin, and complement (C3, C4, C1 esterase inhibitor) before and during the Vuelta a Espana. Br J Sports Med 2006; 40: 124-127
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Tanasescu M, Leitzmann MF, Rimm EB, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Hu FB. Exercise type and intensity in relation to coronary heart disease in men. JAMA 2002; 288: 1994
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Thompson PD. Exercise and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2003; 23: 1319-1321
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Wannamethee SG, Shaper AG. Physical activity in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: an epidemiological perspective. Sports Med 2001; 31: 101-114
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 World Health Organization. Fact Sheet. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en accessed 19 July 2011
    PubMed