Aerobic Exercise and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Risk:
Kent et al retrospectively analyzed medical and questionnaire data from 3.1 million patients screened with ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) from 2003 to 2008. The analysis affirmed well-known risk factors—male, age, family history, cardiovascular disease, and past smoker—but also discovered new markers of higher or lower risk. Excess weight was associated with increased risk, whereas exercise and consumption of nuts, vegetables, and fruits were associated with reduced risk. (2)
Aerobic exercise combined with a weight loss program:
Aerobic exercise improved physical function, pain and a walking test in osteoarthritis patients. Researchers gathered data on the effectiveness of exercise and weight loss for 35 patients, aged 25 or older, with hip osteoarthritis (OA) who were overweight or obese. They participated in an 8-month exercise and weight-loss program. Over the course of the study, self-reported physical function, pain, and walking tests were used to measure the success of treatment. The program resulted in a 32.6% improvement in physical function after 8 months, along with significant improvements in pain and on walking tests. Therefore, the results suggest weight loss and exercise may be used as a treatment for hip OA. (29)