Association between physical activity and cardiovascular risk in adult users of a linear park in São Paulo

Abstract

The practice of leisure-time physical activity (PA) in public parks is a strategy recommended to reduce the global cardiovascular risk (GCR) of the population. Linear parks present distinct characteristics than conventional parks, which makes it important to investigate the relationship between PA and GCR in its users. Thus, this study was conducted to identify the GCR and the leisure-time PA of the users of Minhocão Park in São Paulo and to analyze the association between these factors. Data were obtained in a punctual health intervention conducted in the park through an interview about PA and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) in addition to measuring body mass, height, abdominal circumference and blood pressure. Data from 143 participants (64 women, 44±9.2 years old) were analyzed, and they were divided into those who met (62.2%) or did not meet (37.8%) the goal for weekly PA practice recommended by the World Health Organization. Those who met this goal were subsequently divided into those who included (43.8%) or did not include (56.2%) vigorous PA to meet this goal. Most of the participants who met the PA goal presented low GCR (59.4%) and they also had a lower frequency of altered diastolic blood pressure compared to those who did not meet the goal (6.3±5.7 vs. 7.1±6.4%, p=0.492). Those who included vigorous PA to meet the health goal had lower GCR than those who only practiced moderate PA (2.9±4.3 vs. 6.2±6.3%, p=0.009). In conclusion, users of Minhocão Park were mainly active and presented low GCR. Among them, meeting the recommended PA levels, particularly with the inclusion of vigorous activity, was associated with a lower GCR.