WALKING PROGRAM REDUCES ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL IN WOMEN POSTMENOPAUSE

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of a moderate exercise regimen on tot al serum cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholester ol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), body composit ion and cardiovascular fitness (VO2 max) in mildly hyperlipidemic wome n, postmenopause. DESIGN: Randomized assignment to walking (n=24) or c ontrol (n=16) groups. SETTING: Community based intervention. PARTICIPA NTS: Over 300 volunteers were screened to obtain the sample of 40 elig ible women. Participants were mildly hyperlipidemic, postmenopause (me an age 62.0+/-5.7 years), sedentary, nonsmokers and not on hormone rep lacement therapy. Results are reported for the 25 subjects (15 walkers , 10 controls) who completed the study. INTERVENTION: Exercisers walke d an average of 54.3+/-7.7 mins/day, 4.9+/-1.7 days/week, at an intens ity of 54% maximum heart rate reserve, for six months. Participants we re counselled not to change their diets. MAIN RESULTS: Total serum cho lesterol, triglyceride total serum cholesterol: HDL-C ratio, weight an d fat mass decreased significantly in the walkers compared with the co ntrols (P<0.05), as did body mass index (P<0.01). Walking resulted in a significant increase in VO2 max (P<0.01). changes in serum lipids we re significantly related to changes in body fat, but not to change in aerobic fitness. There were no changes in dietary intake. CONCLUSIONS: A moderate intensity exercise program induces favourable alterations in total serum cholesterol and other atherogenic indices in hyper-lipi demic women postmenopause, and these changes are related more to loss of body fat than to increased fitness level.