M Wei1, C A Macera, C A Hornung, S N Blair. 1. Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio 78284-2873, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between regular exercise and plasma lipid profiles in free-living men. METHODS: Seven hundred eighty men between the ages of 25 and 65 years were included in this study. The medical history, physical examination, and blood tests were obtained at baseline and 1 year later. At the end of the study, 430 (55.1%) men reported the same amount of regular exercise as a year earlier; 199 (25.5%) men reported an increased level, and 151 (19.4%) men reported a decreased level. RESULTS: Compared to the group with same exercise, men who increased their level of regular exercise had a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) (mean 4.76 versus 2.83 mg/dL, p < 0.005) and significant decreases in the ratio of total cholesterol/HDLC (mean -0.72 versus -0.42, p < 0.001) and triglycerides (mean -18.2 versus -6.27 mg/dL, p < 0.001). The changes in lipid profiles appeared to have a dose-response relationship from the increased exercise, same exercise, to decreased exercise groups. Overweight and normal-weight men had a similar tendency to improve their lipid profiles by exercise. The improvement in plasma lipid profile associated with increased regular exercise persisted after controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the relationship between physical activity and favorable lipid profiles exists in men with mild-to-moderate physical activity.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between regular exercise and plasma lipid profiles in free-living men. METHODS: Seven hundred eighty men between the ages of 25 and 65 years were included in this study. The medical history, physical examination, and blood tests were obtained at baseline and 1 year later. At the end of the study, 430 (55.1%) men reported the same amount of regular exercise as a year earlier; 199 (25.5%) men reported an increased level, and 151 (19.4%) men reported a decreased level. RESULTS: Compared to the group with same exercise, men who increased their level of regular exercise had a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) (mean 4.76 versus 2.83 mg/dL, p < 0.005) and significant decreases in the ratio of total cholesterol/HDLC (mean -0.72 versus -0.42, p < 0.001) and triglycerides (mean -18.2 versus -6.27 mg/dL, p < 0.001). The changes in lipid profiles appeared to have a dose-response relationship from the increased exercise, same exercise, to decreased exercise groups. Overweight and normal-weight men had a similar tendency to improve their lipid profiles by exercise. The improvement in plasma lipid profile associated with increased regular exercise persisted after controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the relationship between physical activity and favorable lipid profiles exists in men with mild-to-moderate physical activity.