Training and detraining effects of a combined-strength and aerobic exercise program on blood lipids in patients with coronary artery disease.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate training and detraining effects on blood lipids and apolipoproteins induced by a specific program that combined strength and aerobic exercise in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). For this study, 14 patients participated in a supervised 8-month training program composed of two strength sessions (60% of 1 repetition maximum) and two aerobic training sessions (60%-85% of maximum heart rate), and 13 patients served as a control group. Blood samples for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoproteins A1 (apo-A1) and B (apo-B), and lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]) were obtained along with muscular strength at the beginning of the study, after 4 and 8 months of training and after 3 months of detraining. The patients in the intervention group showed favorable alterations after 8 months of training (TC, -9.4; TG, -18.6; HDL-C, 5.2; apo-A1, 11.2%; P <.05), but these were reversed after 3 months of detraining (TC, +3.7; TG, 16.1; HDL-C, -3.6; apo-A1, -5.5%). In addition, body strength also improved after training (27.8%) but reversed (-12.9%) after detraining (P <.05). The patients in the control group did not experience any significant alterations. The results indicate that an 8-month training program combining strength and aerobic exercise induces favorable muscular and biochemical adaptations, on TC, TG, HDL-C, and apo-A1 levels, protecting patients with CAD. After 3 months of detraining, however, the favorable adaptations were reversed, underscoring the need of uninterrupted exercise throughout life.