title: Chronic low level physical activity as a determinant of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and subfractions.
abstract: Physical activity has been associated with reduced risk of coronary heart disease. A mechanism for the reduced risk may be through increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and subfractions, in particular HDL2-C. Research associated with increased physical activity investigating HLD-C have assessed the effects of intense aerobic activity. The current research evaluated the relationship between low intensity, long duration activity to HDL-C and subfractions in 35 active postal carriers. Measurements of physical activity via the Large Scale Integrated monitor and reported miles walked, and lipoproteins were assessed at 3-month intervals over a 1-year period. Reported miles walked/day (5.3) was significantly correlated with HLD2-C (r = 0.50, P = 0.003) and approached significance for HDL-C (r = 0.29, P = 0.06). The Large Scale Integrated measures were correlated with HDL-C (r = 0.44, P = 0.008) and HDL2-C (r = 0.44, P = 0.007). Controlling for either age, alcohol consumption, body mass index, or leisure time activity did not reduce the relationship between reported miles walked or Large Scale Integrated readings and HDL2-C, suggesting that the increased HDL-C was the result of long duration, low intensity physical activity.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL