Changes in plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels in men and women after a program of moderate exercise.
Levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and other lipids and lipoproteins of 24 men and 37 women were measured before and after a 10-week exercise program. The program involved three sessions of aerobic exercise each week, with 15-20 minutes of activity at 70% of maximal heart rate. Men and women had significantly different lipid patterns in response to exercise, despite equivalent increases in maximal oxygen uptake. Men showed a 5.1% increase in HDL cholesterol, a 6% decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and a 12.4% increase in the HDL/LDL ratio. In contrast, women showed a 1% decrease in HDL cholesterol, a 4.3% decrease in LDL cholesterol, and no significant change in HDL/LDL ratio. The number of sessions attended correlated positively with HDL/LDL changes in men and correlated negatively with HDL/LDL changes in women. These findings suggest that moderate exercise may have different effects on men and women.
D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012737:Sex Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D010100:Oxygen