Minor changes in blood lipids after 6 weeks of high-volume low- intensity physical activity with strict energy balance control.
Physical activity has been shown to favorably affect metabolic risk markers, including blood lipids. The impact of high-energy turnover, without influencing the traditionally used markers of exercise training effects, on blood lipids is still unclear. The aim was to study the effect of high-volume low-intensity physical activity on the blood lipid pattern, with a tight control of diet and energy balance. Eight untrained men [42.5 (12.1) years, body mass index 24.2 (2.8) kg m(-2)] were tested in two different 6-week protocols. In the sedentary protocol, the subjects were instructed to limit their everyday physical activity. In the activity protocol, a 2-h physical activity bout was performed 5 days week(-1) (approximately 40% of VO(2max); equivalent of an additional 21 MJ week(-1) in energy expenditure). The diet for both protocols comprised approximately 40 energy percent (E%) fat, approximately 50 E% carbohydrates (CHO). The polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids ratio of the diet was approximately 0.12. There were no changes during each 6-week period or differences between the two protocols in body weight, body composition or aerobic capacity. Low-intensity physical activity did not affect lipid parameters substantially, except for a slightly lower Apo-B/Apo-A1 ratio with the activity protocol (P < 0.05). Total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as Apo-B and Apo-A1, were increased during the beginning of each 6-week period (P < 0.05), but returned to basal levels by the sixth week. In conclusion, 6 weeks of high-volume low-intensity physical activity did not affect blood lipids substantially.
Branth
Stefan
S
Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism Uppsala University, Sweden.
Sjödin
Anders
A
Forslund
Anders
A
Hambraeus
Leif
L
Holmbäck
Ulf
U
D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides