Are Gyms a Feasible Setting for Exercise Training Interventions in Patients with Cardiovascular Risk Factors? An Italian 10-Years Cross-Sectional Survey Comparison

Background: Exercise training is a known important prevention and treatment modality in patients with cardiovascular (CV) diseases. However, the CV risk factors in gym users have been poorly studied. The aim of this study was to monitor CV risk factors of gym users over 10 years in order to investigate whether gyms are used settings for secondary disease prevention. Methods: In 2007 and 2017, a cross-sectional research survey was adopted to determine CV risk factors and habits in gym users (18-69 years) of the Veneto region. These data were analyzed and compared with those of PASSI, a national surveillance system of the Italian population. Results: During the last decade, there has been an increase in gym users over 50 years of age and in people with arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. People attending the gym on medical referral are increasing, but they are still few (<10%). When comparing the collected data with PASSI surveillance, most of the CV risk factors are strongly underrepresented in gym users. Conclusion: The prevalence of gym users with CV risk factors is rather low, regardless of age. Physicians still need to encourage and prescribe physical exercise for secondary prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.