A Comparison of Plasma HDL-C Levels in Moderate Intensity Continous Exercise Versus High Intensity Intermittent Exercise Among Young Adults

Abstract

Background
 Elevated levels of High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) has been associated with a decreased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). An active lifestyle is necessary in order to improve lipid HDL-C, which includes physical exercise. Continuous and interval/intermittent training are widely used to improve performance in athletes. It is also used to promote a healthy lifestyle. Interval training is considered as ‘better training’, consists of repeated periods of high intensity alternating with lower intensity, whereas continuous exercise is characterized by constant submaximal workload. Both MICT and HIIT are known to improve the cardiovascular function and lipid profile. In recent studies it is been shown that HIIT is more beneficial to MICT in maintaining a good cardiovascular health and lipid profile. The present study is therefore intended to compare the HDL-C levels in young adults practicing moderate intensity continuous exercise (MICT) who are athletes and high intensity intermittent exercise(HIIT) who are badminton players.
 Objectives
 
 
 
 To measure plasma HDL-C levels in athletes and badminton players
 
 
 To compare the plasma HDL-C levels in young adults practicing moderate intensity continuous exercise (athletes) and high intensity intermittent exercise (badminton players).
 
 
 
 Materials & Method
 This study is done on 30 healthy athletes (18 males and 12 females) and 30 healthy badminton players (18 males and 12 females) of bangalore who are practicing regularly for atleast 3 years in the age group of 18–25 years. Subjects who are smokers, alcoholics and any H/O Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, musculoskeletal disorders and those on steroid therapy were excluded. Informed consent was taken. After general physical examination and history taking-HDL-C levels was assessed with 2 ml venous blood sample after 8 hours of fasting. Subjects were matched for Age, Sex and BMI. Descriptive statistics and Students ‘t’ test is used for statistical analysis.
 Results
 HDL-C levels were significantly higher in players practicing high intensity intermittent exercise (Badminton) when compared to athletes with a P value of 0.039.
 Conclusion
 The HDL-C levels in Badminton players is more when compared to athletes hence HIIT is found to be more effective than MICT in maintaining a good cardiovascular health and promoting a healthy lifestyle