Effects of exercise training on high density lipoproteins and apolipoprotein A-I in old and young men

Abstract

Although exercise training has been demonstrated to improve lipid profiles in young and middle-aged subjects, the response in training in the elderly has received little attention. In this study, we assessed and compared the changes in aerobic capacity, lipid profiles, and body composition in young (Y, 31.9 ± 5.5 years; n = 18) and older (O, 65.1 ± 6.1 years; n = 10) subjects in response to similar 3-month exercise training programs (80% to 85% of heart rate reserve, three times per week). We hypothesized that the responses would be qualitatively similar for the two groups, although the absolute quantitative response might be somewhat less in the elderly. The two groups were quite similar at baseline for percent body fat (Y, 30.1% ± 7.2% v O, 30.3% ± 4.7%; P = NS) and maximal aerobic capacity (Y, 36.8 ± 8.1 v O, 36.3 ± 8.3 mL/kg/min; P = NS). In addition, there were no significant differences in the baseline lipid profiles between the groups. After training, the improvements in body composition were similar, with both groups losing similar amounts of fat (Y, 2.86% ± 3.14% v O, −2.85% ± 1.78%) and neither group significantly changing their fat-free mass. Maximal aerobic capacity improved in both groups, but the increment was greater in the young (18% v 10%, P < .05). HDL-cholesterol (+6%, P < .01) and apolipoprotein A-I (+6%, P < .01) concentrations increased significantly only in the young. These increments, however, were not different from those observed in the older subjects (+7% and +4%, respectively). Using multiple-regression models, at baseline HDL-cholesterol concentration was independently related to both maximal aerobic capacity ( r = .57, P = .01) and apolipoprotein A-I concentration ( r = .62, P < .001), but following training the change in HDL-cholesterol was related only to the change in apolipoprotein A-I. We concluded that, despite a lower increment in maximal aerobic capacity in the older subjects, the improvements in body composition and lipid profiles after a 3-month training program were similar in young and old subjects.