Plasma lipid and fibrinogen levels in aerobically trained and untrained postmenopausal women

Physically active compared to inactive pre-menopausal women typically possess higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and reduced plasma fibrinogen levels. The aim of this study was to compare resting blood lipid and fibrinogen levels of aerobically trained and untrained postmenopausal females.

Subjects were 13 aerobically trained (trained) and 26 untrained postmenopausal females (untrained) all on hormonal replacement therapy. Mean age of trained was 56 years (SD=3.6) and untrained was 58 years (SD=4.1). Testing involved blood sampling after an overnight fast. Plasma blood lipids were assessed through enzymatic methods, whereas plasma fibrinogen was measured through the Clauss method.

Trained compared to untrained had significantly greater free fatty acid (51%, p<0.05) and apolipoprotein A levels (24%, p<0.05) and significantly lower fibrinogen (20%, p<0.05). Trained compared to untrained also possessed significantly lower total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio (20%, p<0.05), total cholesterol/apolipoprotein A ratio (19%, p<0.05), apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A ratio (35%, p<0.05), and significantly higher HDL cholesterol (22%, p<0.05) although these differences were not significant after adjusting for body mass index (BMI).

These results show that both a physically active lifestyle and a low BMI contribute to the improved lipid and fibrinogen levels of exercising postmenopausal women.