Scheduled for Exercise Physiology and Fitness Free Communications, Thursday, April 3, 2003, 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM, Convention Center: 304


Single-Bout Low-Intensity Exercise Improves Specific Blood Lipid Levels in Older Women

Kevin H. Kendrick1, Larry W. Titlow1 and Jonny Harvey2, (1)University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, (2)University of Central Arkansas, conway, AR

The purpose of this study was to determine the acute effect of a single low-intensity exercise session on the lipid profiles of older women. Subjects were 14 White women women, with a mean age=67.4 ± 2.11 years, who were participants in a People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE) class. The study protocol required participants to refrain from exercise for 3 days before the single bout of exercise. The exercise session included range of motion activities, low-intensity resistance exercises, and cardiovascular activity from a chair and a standing position. Exercise duration was approximately 40 to 45 minutes, 10 minutes of which was cardiovascular. Mean resting heart rate was 73 ± 3 bpm, while mean peak exercise heart rate was 114 ± 5 bpm. Immediately postexercise, subjects consumed a mixed meal containing approximately 350 calories. Finger-stick blood samples were obtained to measure triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and VLDL preexercise, immediate postexercise, and 2-hours postmeal. Samples were analyzed using a Cholestech LDX. A priori planned comparisons, using dependent t-tests, revealed significant differences in HDL-C and triglycerides. Examination of the means revealed that HDL-C rose after exercise (t=-5.59, p < .000) and then returned to preexercise levels postmeal (t=2.63, p < .021). Triglycerides fell postexercise (t=2.87, p < .013) and continued to fall postmeal (t=2.205, p < .046). None of the other planned comparisons was significantly different. We concluded that a single bout of low-intensity PACE-type exercises can improve triglycerides and HDL-C levels in older women. Further, it appears that low-intensity exercise moderated triglyceride levels in spite of consuming a meal immediately postexercise. In contrast, HDL-C levels returned to preexercise levels postmeal. The effects on HDL-C were either short-lived or were offset by the meal.

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