Exercise
is the performance of any physical activity that improves health or for the
correction of physical injury or deformity (Brown
et al, 2007). Inactivity is one of the major risk factors for heart
disease. However, exercise helps to improve heart health and can even reverse
some heart disease risk factors (Harvey et
al, 2009).
Exercise has a number of effects
that benefits the heart and circulation (blood flow throughout the body). These
benefits includes improving positively cholesterol and fat levels, reducing
inflammation in the arteries, helping weight loss programs and helping to keep
blood vessels flexible and open (Gazino et
al, 2007).studies continue to show that physical activity is the most
successful means of reaching and maintaining heart-healthy levels of fitness
and weight (Brown et al, 2007).
Studies have revealed that the masai
pastoralists in Tanzania, have low rates of coronary heart disease despite a
diet high in saturated fats based on the traditional staple food of milk, dairy
products, meats from their animals (Mbalilaki et al, 2008). Despite the overwhelming evidence of a link between
saturated fat and coronary heart disease (CHD), the near absence of coronary
heart disease in masai people , despite a diet based on meat and milk, has
intrigued researchers for decades
(Howard, 1977). Regular walking or cycling to and from work was common
to masai people. The westerners would have to walk at least 19km more per day
to expend the same amount of energy as the masai people do (Cordain et al, 1998).
Inspite of the high fat intake,
coronary risk factors level such as body mass index, waist circumference, blood
pressure and lipids were favourable among the masai people. The masai people
probably are not genetically protected from developing cardiovascular disease,
but the high energy expenditure through physical activity and maintenance of
low body weight may play an important role in their low risk of cardiovascular
disease (Mbalilaki et al, 2007).
The Fulani of northern Nigeria are
semi-nomadic pastoralists who consume diet rich in saturated fat derived from
diary product and cooking oil such as palm oil and butter oil (Glew et al, 1999) such diet might be expected
to adversely affect an individual’s blood lipid profile and to raise one’s risk
of cardiovascular disease (Glew et al,
1999). Their main occupation is cattle rearing, the men are constantly moving
in search of pasture and water for their cattle while the women tend to the
children, gather firewood and water, cultivate subsistence garden (Glew et al, 1999).
The mean cholesterol (total HDL and LDL) and triacylglycerol concentration in the Fulani men and women were favourable with respect to the risk of cardiovascular disease of hypertension, an independent risk factor for cardio vascular disease among the Fulani men and women was low compared with other Nigerian population (Kaufman et al, 1996, Kadiri et al, 1997). Despite a diet high in saturated fat, Fulani adults have a lipid profile indicative of a low risk of cardiovascular disease.
This finding is likely due to their high physical activity level and their low total energy intake which override whatever negative effects their diets high in fats might have on their risk of cardiovascular system (Glew et al, 1999).
Studies show that people who
maintain an active lifestyle have a 45% lower risk of developing heart disease
than do sedentary people. Beneficial changes in low cholesterol and lipid
levels, including lower low density lipoprotein level, occurs when people
perform moderately or high intensity exercise, such as walking or jogging
12miles a weeks (Harvey et al, 2009)
Exercise is also required to significantly change cholesterol levels positively
and notably increase the high density lipoprotein level (Harvey et al. 2009). Therefore, for the
greatest heart protection, it is not the duration of a single exercise that
counts but the total weekly amount of energy expended (Brown et al, 2007). The mean cholesterol (total HDL and LDL) and triacylglycerol concentration in the Fulani men and women were favourable with respect to the risk of cardiovascular disease of hypertension, an independent risk factor for cardio vascular disease among the Fulani men and women was low compared with other Nigerian population (Kaufman et al, 1996, Kadiri et al, 1997). Despite a diet high in saturated fat, Fulani adults have a lipid profile indicative of a low risk of cardiovascular disease.
This finding is likely due to their high physical activity level and their low total energy intake which override whatever negative effects their diets high in fats might have on their risk of cardiovascular system (Glew et al, 1999).