Article

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been linked to decreases in driving performance
and an increased crash risk. Regular exercise has been linked to improved driving
performance among healthy adults. The aim of the current study was to investigate
the relationship between a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program and
driving performance among individuals with CVD.
Twenty-five individuals,
including 12 cardiac adults and 13 healthy adults, took part in this study.
Simulated driving performance was assessed using a standardized demerit-based
scoring system at 0 and 12 weeks. Cardiac participants completed a 12-week CR
program between evaluations. At baseline, cardiac participants had a higher
number of demerit points than healthy adults (120.9+/-38.1 vs. 94.7+/-28.3,
P=0.04). At follow-up, there was an improvement in both groups' driving
evaluations, but the improvement was greater among the cardiac group such that
there was no longer a difference in driving performance between both groups
(94.6+/-30 vs. 86.9+/-34.8, P=0.51). Participation in an aerobic exercise-based
CR program appears to lead to improvements in simulated driving performances of
individuals with CVD.

Langue : ANGLAIS