Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life and Physical Condition of Two Community-Based Exercise Programs in Subjects with Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

We compared the effect of two community-based physical activity (PA) programs on health-related quality of life (HRQL) and physical condition in people with cardiovascular risk factors. Fifty-one subjects participated in the "ACTIVA Murcia" AM 3 program characterized by non-individualized training loads for 3 months, and forty-two participated in the AM 6 program characterized by individualized progressive training loads for 6 months. Both programs included a 6-month follow-up period without PA. HRQL was assessed with the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and physical condition by VO 2 max, strength, flexibility, and balance. Participants in the AM 6 program as compared with those in the AM 3 program showed significantly higher scores in the subscales of physical functioning, mental health, energy/vitality, and general health. Mental health and general health at 6 months of follow-up were also scored significantly higher by AM 6 participants. VO 2 max and flexibility improved more in the AM 6 group, whereas strength was better in the AM 3 group. Half of the participants in the AM 6 program expressed a strong willingness to continue exercising vs. 38% in the AM 3 program. In this study, a community-based PA program with individualized progressive training loads of 6-month duration showed a more favorable impact on HRQL than a 3-month non-individualized PA program.