CHANGES IN SERUM-LIPIDS AND APOLIPOPROTEINS AFTER EXERCISE IN MEN WITH HIGH CHOLESTEROL - INFLUENCE OF INTENSITY

The purpose of this study was to characterize the short-term changes i n blood lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations in healthy hypercholes terolemic men after high-intensity [80% maximal O-2 uptake (VO2 (max)) ; n = 20] or moderate-intensity (50% VO2 (max); n = 19) cycle ergomete r exercise balanced for caloric expenditure (350 kcal). The men's age, height, weight, %fat, and VO2 (max) were 46 +/- 2 yr, 173 +/- 7 cm, 8 2.7 +/- 2.2 kg, 28 +/- 1%, and 31.1 +/- 1.0 ml O-2 . kg(-1) . min(-1), respectively. Blood samples were drawn before exercise, immediately a fter exercise, then 24 and 48 h later, and concentrations of all varia bles were adjusted for changes in plasma volume. Significant changes ( P < 0.0016) were as follows: total and low-density lipoprotein cholest erol fell by 4% immediately after exercise and then rose by 5-8% by 48 h. Triglycerides were 18 and 15% lower at 24 and 48 h, respectively. HDL-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein(3)-cholesterol, and apolipop rotein B rose 8-9% by 24 h and remained elevated. High-density lipopro tein(2)-cholesterol rose by 27% by 48 h after exercise, but this chang e was not significant. Apolipoprotein A-I did not change with exercise . The response patterns were not affected by exercise intensity. These data show that a single session of exercise performed by untrained hy percholesterolemic men alters blood lipid and apolipoprotein concentra tions. Furthermore, the postexercise response patterns are not influen ced by exercise intensity, as long as caloric expenditure is held cons tant.