Lipid and lipoprotein changes in premenstrual women following step aerobic dance training

Exercise training can improve lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and reduce the risk of heart disease. Little information is available concerning aerobic dance training and lipoprotein concentration changes in women. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two different methods of step bench training on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and lipoprotein concentrations in college-aged females. Subjects were assigned to one of three groups: a traditional continuous step (CS), an interval step group (IS), or a non-exercise control group (C). The CS and the IS groups participated in three 50-minute sessions for 12 weeks. The CS session included a warm-up, 30-35 min of continuous bench stepping, 10-15 min of calisthenic exercises, and a 5-min cool-down. The IS sessions included a 5-7-min warm-up, 35-40 min of alternating intervals of bench stepping and non-step aerobic dance, and a 5-7-min cool-down. Target heart rates were maintained within 70 to 85% of maximal heart rate. Results showed increases in HDL-C concentrations in the IS group (p<0.05). Decreases in percent body fat were evident in both dance groups (p<0.05) and cardiovascular fitness increased in both groups (p<0.01). No changes were evident in the control group. In college-aged women, 12 weeks of IS or CS training improved cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition. In addition, IS training appears to have a greater effect on HDL-C concentrations than CS training.