Exercise Effects on Lipoprotein Lipids in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Sedentary Males Smokers

Abstract

Epidemiologic studies have found plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels to be predictive of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults. To date, research has primarily focused on the secondary and tertiary management of CVD to the neglect of more important and cost-effective primary preventative measures. Although aerobic modes of exercise have been associated with favorable alterations in lipid and lipoprotein levels, the effect of resistance training on lipid and lipoprotein levels as a preventive measure is inconclusive and conflicting especially on the more sensitive lipoprotein indices in at-risk sedentary smokers. PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the effects of 16 weeks of three times weekly aerobic (Aer), resistance (Res) and combined resistance and aerobic (Com) training on sedentary at-risk male smokers' lipoprotein profiles. METHODS: 50 subjects were randomly assigned into one of four groups; Aer (n = 12); Res (n = 13); Com (n = 13) or a non-exercising control (Con) group (n = 12). Aer subjects utilized a combination of aerobic equipment, Res subjects exercised using eight whole-body exercises, while the Com subjects utilized both endurance and whole-body resistance training in equal proportions. Throughout the experimental period, the Con group received no treatment. RESULTS: The Con was found to have had no significant (P ≤ 0.05) improvements in any measured lipoprotein measures while the Res found a significant improvement only in triglyceride (TG) measures. The Aer and Com found significant improvements in total cholesterol (TC), TG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), non-HDL-C, TC: HDL-C ratio and LDL-C: HDL-C ratio with the Com resulting in the greatest improvements in all measures barring TG. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that a larger dose of aerobic exercise does not necessarily equate in a greater improvement in lipoprotein profiles in at-risk sedentary male smokers if the lost aerobic exercise time is replaced with resistance exercise in the same session. The addition of resistance training to aerobic training is an effective alternative mode of exercise that can be used in the primary prevention of CVD, especially to elicit the unique benefits that each mode of exercise has to offer.