title: Effects of endurance training on glucose tolerance and plasma lipid levels in older men and women.
abstract: Eleven healthy men and women (63 +/- 1 years) participated in a 12-month endurance-training program to determine the effects of low-intensity and high-intensity training on glucose tolerance and plasma lipids in older persons. Plasma glucose, insulin, and C-peptide concentrations were measured for three hours after ingestion of 100 g of glucose and the total areas under the respective curves were calculated. Total plasma lipids and lipoprotein concentrations were determined during fasting. Maximal oxygen uptake increased 12% during six months of low-intensity training; a further 18% increase occurred during an additional six months of high-intensity training. Glucose tolerance, which was normal initially, was not significantly changed after training. However, the total area for insulin was 8% lower after low-intensity training, and 23% lower after high-intensity training, compared with before training. C-peptide concentrations were similarly reduced. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations were unchanged after low-intensity training, but high-intensity training resulted in an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and a reduction in triglycerides. These results demonstrate that older persons respond to prolonged, high-intensity endurance training with an increase in sensitivity to insulin and a favorable alteration in their plasma lipoprotein-lipid profile.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D012119:Respiration
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D002096:C-Peptide; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol; D010100:Oxygen