Effects of resistance and multicomponent exercise on lipid profiles of older women

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two exercise programs of 8 months duration on lipid profiles in older women.

In 2006, 77 women from Porto, Portugal, aged 60-79 years were randomly assigned into a multicomponent exercise (ME) program or resistance exercise (RE) program. Before- and after-training, body composition, daily physical activity (DPA), aerobic endurance, plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) were assessed. Training was performed twice weekly. The protocol for the ME included aerobic exercise, muscular endurance exercises and activities targeted to improve balance and flexibility. The RE protocol included leg press, leg extensions and curls, double chest raises, lateral raises, overhead press and abdominal exercises.

Significant decreases in TG (-5.1%, p=0.006), and significant increases in HDL-C (9.3%, p<0.001) were observed in the ME group. Following 8 months no significant changes were observed on lipid profile in RE group, although lipid- and lipoprotein-related variables tended to alter favorably. Both regimens resulted in significant improvements on 6-min walk test (6.4%, p=0.001 for ME; and 6.0%, p=0.044 for RE). No significant changes were observed in total DPA and body fat in either group after exercise interventions. No significant correlations were found between body composition, physical activity, aerobic endurance, and lipid profile.

The data suggested that 8 months of ME may be more effective than RE for inducing favorable changes in plasma lipoprotein and lipid profiles.