Regular non-vigorous physical activity and cholesterol levels in the elderly

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a powerful independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) among the elderly. Regular vigorous physical activity has been found to raise the concentration of HDL-C and thus reduce the risk of CHD. There is little data on the effect of non-vigorous activity on HDL-C in the elderly.

The aim of this study was to compare CHD risk factors, especially HDL-C, in a group of elderly persons who engage in regular non-vigorous physical activity with a group of frail elderly examined in a previous study.

Each subject (51 women and 19 men) had anthropometric measures taken and completed a questionnaire on lifestyle and medical history. Total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C and lipoprotein (a) were analysed. Results were compared with those of a frail group examined previously using similar methodology.

HDL-C, adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), was greater among women (p < 0.01) and men (p < 0.05) who were engaged in a regular physical activity at least once a week. TC was higher among active women (p < 0.001), but there was also a trend towards a lower TC/HDL ratio. Therefore, although TC is higher in active women, this could be due to a higher proportion of the cholesterol fraction consisting of HDL-C. WHR was negatively associated with HDL-C in frail men (p < 0. 05), active men (p < 0.01) and active women (p < 0.05). BMI was negatively associated with HDL-C in frail women (p < 0.05).

This sample of elderly people who participate in regular weekly non-vigorous physical activity have a higher HDL-C than frail individuals who do little or no exercise. Since HDL-C is consistently reported to be inversely associated with CHD in the elderly, an elevation in HDL-C concentration may provide some protection to elderly persons who participate in regular nonvigorous physical activity compared to frail elderly individuals who are largely sedentary. Caution should be exercised in the interpretation of a TC only reading in active elderly women without an accompanying measure of HDL.