THE INFLUENCE OF CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TRAINING ON BLOOD LIPID RESPONSES TO CIRCUIT RESISTANCE EXERCISE

Abstract

While adhering to a physically active lifestyle has been associated with a more favorable lipid profile and a reduced risk of CHD, information regarding the optimal training modality has not been well defined. Resistance training has been recommended as an integral part of a well-rounded physical activity program for health and disease prevention. However, the beneficial influence of this mode of exercise on circulating lipoprotein-lipids remains to be established. PURPOSE To determine the effects of an 8-wk circuit resistance training program on blood lipid responses to a single session of circuit resistance exercise. METHODS Five healthy men and four healthy women underwent three supervised circuit resistance exercise sessions a wk for 8 wks. The average subject age, height, and weight was 22.8 ± 2 yr, 171.7 ± 14 cm, and 73.9 ± 18.5 kg. Serum lipid concentrations were measured before and immediately after exercise (IPE) on two different occasions corresponding to 0 and 8 weeks of training. All IPE serum lipid concentrations were adjusted for changes in plasma volume. RESULTS Circuit resistance training resulted in a 6.5% increase in VO2peak, a 24% increase in upper body strength, and a 29% increase in lower body strength (p < 0.05). Results of a univariate 2 (TRAINING) × 2 (TIME) factorial ANOVA (repeated for both factors) for TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, HDL2-C, HDL3-C, and TG were as follows: TRAINING × TIME interactions were not significant. TRAINING main effects were not significant. For TIME, only TG changes were significant (−4.6%). CONCLUSION Eight weeks of circuit resistance training did not alter the acute response of lipoprotein-lipids to a single session of circuit resistance exercise. TG levels were significantly decreased immediately after a single session of circuit resistance exercise regardless of training status. In addition to improved muscular strength, our results also show that eight weeks of circuit resistance training improves aerobic capacity.