Relationship of menopausal status and exercise level to HDL-cholesterol in women.
The relationship between exercise habits, menopausal status and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) was studied in 44 long-distance runners, 47 joggers, and 45 relatively inactive females. In each group, some women were post-menopausal (Post-M) and some pre-menopausal (Pre-M). HDL-C level was higher in runners (77.6 mg/dl) and joggers (70.4 mg/dl) than in the inactive group (62.1 mg/dl), but was not different Pre-M vs Post-M. Total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C were higher in Post-M than in Pre-M subjects, but did not differ among exercise groups. Body weight and % fat were lower in Pre-M vs Post-M groups and were lower in the runners vs inactive subjects. The HDL-C/TC ratio was higher in the runners vs inactive subjects and there was a significant exercise-menopausal interaction indicating a beneficial exercise effect. Adjustment of lipoprotein values for possible confounding variables did not alter these results. Endurance exercise by Post-M females may help prevent adverse lipid and lipoprotein changes which might predispose them to coronary heart disease.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007590:Jogging; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012420:Running; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol