THE EFFECT OF EXERCISE DURATION ON SERUM-CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDES IN WOMEN

Numerous studies have shown previously sedentary men who engage in an aerobic exercise training program demonstrated increased high density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C) and HDL-C/Total Cholesterol (TC) ratios (Haskell, 1984; Wood, Haskell, Stern, Lewis, 8c Perry, 1977). In addition, lipoprotein concentrations following a single bout of exercise are either unchanged or change in a manner similar to that which results from chronic training (Berg, Johns, Baumstark, Kreutz, andKeul, 198S; Carlson 8c Mossfeldt, 1964; Cullinane, Lazarus, Thompson, Saratelli, and Herbert, 1981; Dufaux, Order, Muller, and Hollmann, 1986; Durstine, Miller, Farrell, Serman, 8c Ivy, 1983; Enger, Stromme, 8c Refsum, 1980; Hughes, Thorland, Eyford, and Hood, 1990; Thompson, Cullinane, Henderson, 8c Herbert, 1980; Wirth, Diehm, Kohlmeier, Heuck, 8c Vogel, 1983). Studies involving the effects of exercise training on lipoprotein profiles in women are less numerous. Crosssectional investigations report physically active women tend to have a more favorable lipoprotein profile than their sedentary counterparts (Smith, Mendex, Druckenmiller, 8c Kris-Etherton, 1982; Vodak, Wood, Haskell, 8c Williams, 1980). However, previously sedentary women have demonstrated little or no change in TC, HDL-C, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), or triglycerides (TG) following exercise training (BassettFrey, Doerr, Laubach, Mann, 8c Glueck, 1982; Brownell, Bachorik, and Ayerle, 1982; Franklin et al., 1979). Most studies involving women have used exercise training bouts lasting 30 min or less. Therefore, the lack of training-induced changes in lipoprotein profiles in women as a result of exercise training may be due in part to the duration of the exercise performed. The effect of a single bout of submaximal exercise on serum lipoprotein of women has not been extensively investigated. Durstine, Goba, Bartoli, and Wade (1987) reported no change in HDL-C or HDL-C subfractions in women following prolonged submaximal exercise. To our knowledge, no previous studies have examined changes in the serum concentrations ofTC, TG, or LDL-C following a single submaximal bout. Further, no previous studies have examined if the duration of exercise performed affects the manner in which serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations change following exercise in women. The purpose of this study was to determine if the duration of a single bout of submaximal exercise affects the serum concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, and cholesterol subfractions in women. © 1991 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.