The influence of aerobic and resistance exercise on the lipid-lipoprotein profile: Evidence from the "ATTICA" epidemiological study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this epidemiological study was to assess the association of aerobic and the combination of aerobic and resistance exercise with the lipid-lipoprotein profile and anthropometric indices in a random sample of men and women. METHOD: Healthy men (1,514) and women (1,528) aged over 18 years stratified by city and age and gender distribution, from the province of Attica were enrolled randomly in the study. Participants were classified as inactive, fairly active and highly active for aerobic activities, according to International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and as a sub-group which combined aerobic and resistance exercise. The main outcome measures were the lipid-lipoprotein profile (total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, apoA1, apoB) and anthropometric indices (weight, height, waist to hip ratio). RESULTS: Of the participants in aerobic activities, 480 (31.7%) men and 502 (32.9%) women were classified as fairly active and 100 (6.6%) men and 93 (6.1%) women as highly active. Ninety (5.9%) men and 49 (3.2%) women took part in combined exercise. The men who were engaged in combined exercise had on the average, 10% lower levels of LDL-cholesterol (P=0.01) than those with highly active exercise. In women the LDLcholesterol decreased by 12.6% in those with combined exercise compared to the highly active (P=0.051). CONCLUSIONS: Combined aerobic and resistance exercise can positively influence LDL-cholesterol levels in healthy individuals in comparison with strenuous aerobic exercise alone.