EFFECT OF KINESIOLOGICAL RECREATION ON PLASMA-LIPOPROTEINS AND APOLIPOPROTEINS IN FERTILE WOMEN

The effect of physical exercise on lipid and apoprotein levels was stu died in 31 healthy fertile women (mean age, 39.7 +/- 2.3 years) workin g as civil servants and leading a mostly sedentary way of life (group 1). A control group consisted of 31 age-matched women (mean age, 39.2 +/- 2.4 years) with a comparable life style (group 2). Group 1 perform ed physical exercise for at least 30 minutes three times per week. The y also climbed a 500-m hill at least once per week. The study lasted 6 months, ie, from May to November 1990. Changes in maximum oxygen cons umption (VO(2)max), body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip r atio (WHR), and levels of lipids and apolipoproteins (apos) A-I and B Were compared between the two groups of subjects. During the May-Novem ber period, the control group showed an increase in body weight (P < . 02), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, HD L(3), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P < .01) and a de crease in HDL(2) (P < .05). In contrast, group 1 did not show any incr ease in total cholesterol, and their body weight decreased (P < .01). Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and triglyceride level s decreased (P < .02), as did LDL cholesterol and HDL(2) levels (P < . 05), whereas HDL cholesterol and HDL(3) levels increased (P < .01). Th ere were no statistically significant changes in WHR and apo A-I level . The findings indicated possible seasonal variations in lipoprotein l evels in group 2. In addition, programed kinesiologic recreation appea red to decrease levels of some atherogenic lipoproteins (LDL cholester ol, VLDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and apo B in fertile women, w hich is known to prevent the onset of coronary heart disease. Copyrigh t (C) 1995 by W.B. Saunders Company