Effects of an exercise program on plasma lipids of senior air force officers

Abstract

The effect of exercise, age and season on plasma lipids was surveyed by utilizing 355 senior military officers of the Air Force stationed at the Pentagon in the Washington, D. C., area. A group of 229 officers routinely engaging in a phasic or dynamic exercise program for at least a year was analyzed against 126 officers not regularly exercising. The high exercise group demonstrated lower levels of total lipid, cholesterol, beta lipoprotein and triglycerides which were statistically significant. Very low density (VLD) lipoprotein was also significantly lower when only those officers with below median values of this lipoprotein were considered. Alpha lipoprotein significantly increased with exercise. Increases in phospholipids and alpha lipoprotein were statistically significant as age increased from the 40 through 54 span of the study. Significant differences in lipids were not obtained in considering the season blood was drawn. Significant positive correlations of per cent deviation from ideal weight with total lipids, triglycerides and VLD lipoprotein were found. Alpha lipoprotein gave a significant negative or inverse correlation. Correlation coefficients among the lipid parameters themselves were obtained. The most interesting finding was the negative correlation of −0.30 between alpha lipoprotein and VLD lipoprotein. In conclusion, if lower beta and VLD lipoproteins and increased alpha lipoprotein are associated with a more desirable physiological state, then an appropriate exercise program is efficacious.