The Effects of Acute Moderate Exercise on Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins in Mildly Obese Women

Abstract

The extent and duration of serum lipid and lipoprotein changes were examined in 12 mildly obese women who walked 45 minutes at 60% VChmax in a laboratory setting. A two-factor, 2×6 design with repeated measures on both factors was utilized. The first factor was condition (exercise and rest) and the second factor was time (six times of measurement over a 24-hour period) with treatment counterbalanced. The patterns of change in total high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) [F(5,55)=5.75, p < 0.001] and HDL₃-C [F(5,55)=2.62, p = 0.034], but not HDL₂-C [F(5,55) = 1.15, p = 0.346], were significantly different between conditions. Relative to baseline and the rest condition, total HDL-C tended to rise due to a significant 11.6% increase in HDL₃-C immediately post-exercise, with values returning to baseline 1.5 hours post-exercise. The interaction statistic for triglycerides was significant with trends for a decrease in triglycerides at 1.5 and 23 hours post-exercise relative to baseline and the rest condition. No significant differences were seen between the exercise and rest conditions for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, or plasma volume. These data indicate that an exercise intensity achievable by brisk walking (7.4 kph) is sufficient to evoke significant but short-term changes in serum HDL₃-C concentrations in women.

Key words

Exercise - lipoproteins - lipids - women