Impact of Low Intensity Physical Activity on the Vitals of Normal Individuals with Varying BMI

JRCRS. 2018; 6(1): 29-32

Abstract

Background: Physical activity tends to improve cardiorespiratory fitness of individuals. Incorporating physical activities including exercise in daily life can lead to improvement in vitals of an individual. This study is intended to assess the effects of low intensity physical activity on vitals of individuals with normal weight, overweight and obesity.

Objective: To determine effects of low impact activity on vitals of normal individuals with varying BMI

Methodology: Study design was experimental study. The sample size chosen was 300 normal individuals. Pre-walk values of heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and blood pressure of the participants were taken. Then, low impact activity i.e. 6min walk was performed on treadmill and participants were assessed again. The duration of study was six months (Feb, 2016 to July, 2016). The data was collected from Railway General Hospital, Rawalpindi.

Results: The heart rate (p-value, 0.001) and respiratory rate (<0.001) increased significantly after 6min walk. Resting heart rate (0.028) was high in over weight individuals. Pre walk (systolic: <0.001, diastolic: <0.001) and post walk (systolic: 0.038, diastolic: 0.049) blood pressures were increased significantly in individuals with high BMI as compared to ones with normal BMI.

Conclusion: The low impact activity improves the heart rate and respiratory rate of normal individuals. The resting as well as post walk heart rate and blood pressure are higher in overweight as compared to normal individuals.

Keywords: BMI, Low impact activity, Vitals, 6 min walk test.