Physical Activity and Lipid Profile in the ELSA- Brasil Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Exercise Physiology
• Lipid Metabolism

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) positively influences high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride (TG) levels.
• These lipoproteins are critical risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases.
• The comparative benefits of PA intensity versus duration on these lipid profiles remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between physical activity intensity and duration with HDL, LDL, and TG levels.
• To determine if specific PA parameters offer superior benefits for lipid management.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of 12,688 participants from the ELSA-Brasil study.
• Exclusion of individuals on lipid-lowering medication.
• Multiple linear regression models adjusted for covariates to assess PA intensity and duration associations with lipid levels.

Main Results:

• Both moderate and vigorous PA, and PA exceeding 150 min/week, correlated with elevated HDL and reduced TG.
• Vigorous PA showed a univariate association with lower LDL.
• Adjusted analyses indicated moderate PA increased HDL by 0.89 mg/dL and vigorous PA by 1.71 mg/dL, while both reduced TG.

Conclusions:

• PA intensity and duration significantly benefit HDL and TG levels.
• Vigorous PA demonstrates a marginal advantage over duration-based recommendations for improving lipid profiles.
• Findings support the importance of PA intensity in cardiometabolic risk reduction.