EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON PLASMA-LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS OF WOMEN

This review summarizes the cross-sectional and training studies Nacute and chronic) that have examined the relationship between exercise and plasma lipid and lipoproteins in women. Because women experence major fluctuations in reproductive hormones throughout the life cycle, the effects of the endogenous sex steroid status on the association betwee n exercise and plasma lipoproteins also are addressed. In general, cro ss-sectional studies report a positive association between exercise an d high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in both pre- and postme nopausal women. Women on hormone replacement therapy who report exerci sing have higher HDL-C than sedentary women on hormone replacement the rapy. Results from longitudinal training studies have been inconsisten t becauseof experimental design, i.e., inadequate type, duration, and intensity of exercise intervention, lipid measurements made across the menstrual cycle, and studies carried out in women with high baseline HDL-c. Since lipids vary approximately 10-25% throughout the menstrual cycle, menstrual phase should be controlled when determining lipid ch anges after an exercise intervention. In approximately half of the int ervention studies, an increase in HDL-C was demonstrated; the magnitud e of the response that can be expected is <approximately>10%. The resp onsiveness of pre- versus postmenopausal women to an exercise interven tion is unknown. Studies are needed to clarify the interactive effects of exercise and sex hormones on plasma lipoproteins in women of all a ges. This information will be useful in developing intervention progra ms to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in women.