Change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in response to acute resistance exercise

Abstract

Several studies have reported improvements in blood lipid profiles following acute exercise bouts and following endurance training. The aim of this study was to determine the acute effects of resistance exercise on blood lipid variables in male and female adults. Thirty-three normal healthy subjects were divided into male (12 persons) and female (21 persons) groups. A11 subjects performed maximal resistance exercise (MRE) test. This test consisted of 3 sets of 7 exercises encompassing upper and lower body limbs at an intensity corresponding to 15 repetition maximum. Venous blood samples were obtained before and immediately after MRE test and analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Blood TC and TG were unchanged whereas HDL-C rose significantly in response to MRE in both groups. Statistically, no gender differences in lipid profiles were observed at rest or in response to MRE test. It is concluded that maximal resistance exercise acutely increases HDL-C in male and female subjects.