Is Gender a Factor in the Reduction of Cardiovascular Risks With Exercise Training?

Background: This study compared older men and women with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in terms of the effects of a 6-month exercise intervention on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, blood pressure (BP) and other risk factors. Methods and Results: Sixty older (age 61–79) overweight men and 71 such women with 2 or more risk factors (ie, systolic BP 130–179mmHg, non-fasting blood glucose 110–139mg/dl, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 120–219mg/dl) participated in a 6-month exercise intervention. The exercise program consisted of moderate-intensity bicycle exercise for ∼40min, performed on average 2.5 times per week. Systolic and diastolic BP reductions were found to be greater in women than in men (SBP, −10.6 vs. −5.5mmHg; DBP, −6.2 vs. −3.3mmHg; both P