Resistance exercise at variable volume does not reduce postprandial lipemia in postmenopausal women

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of resistance exercise sessions (RESs) performed at different levels of high-volume resistance exercise (HVRE) and low-volume resistance exercise (LVRE) on postprandial lipemia (PPL) in postmenopausal women. Thirty-nine healthy unconditioned postmenopausal women (59.5 ± 4.8years of age, body mass 69.6 ± 9.1kg, height 157.9 ± 7.2cm, BMI 27.6 ± 4.1kgm(-2), waist circumference 76.1 ± 9.7cm, VO2max 18.7 ± 1.4mLkg(-1)min(-1)) were assigned to a LVRE (n = 12), HVRE (n = 14), and control group (CG, n = 13). Experimental groups performed one RES involving eight exercises. The HVRE group performed three sets with a maximum of 15 repetitions, and the LVRE group performed one set with a maximum of 15 repetitions. Approximately 16h after a RES, all of the groups were given an oral fat tolerance test (OFTT). During the RES, we evaluated the energy expenditure (EE) of the resistance session and excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC); following the RES and the OFTT, we evaluated lipid profiles (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides). While the study groups did not demonstrate significant differences in lipid profiles, the total energy expenditure (EE + EPOC) of the session exercise treatments was significantly higher for HVRE than for LVRE (0.60 ± 0.12 and 0.31 ± 0.11MJ, respectively, p < 0.001). Different levels of resistance exercise do not lower basal triglyceride concentration and postprandial lipid profile parameters at approximately 16h following resistance exercise in untrained postmenopausal women.