Background: Physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle are contributory factors for increased risk of obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and related complications, namely cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, namely atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke are very common cardiovascular complications of uncontrolled hyperlipidemia. On the other hand, regular physical exercise decreases weight and body fat deposits. Regular exercise also increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and therefore decreases the risk of atherosclerosis. Different studies on the effects of acute one session of exercise on lipid profile have shown variable results. Our study aimed to study effects of 1 h intensive exercise on the lipid profile of females performing regular exercise for 1 year. The lipid profile study included total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density cholesterol low-density lipoprotein (LDL), Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), and HDL cholesterol.
Aims and Objectives: (1) To compare blood levels of TC and TG before exercise and immediately after 1 h exercise (2) To compare blood levels of HDL, LDL, and VLDL before exercise and immediately after 1 h exercise.
Materials and Methods: The study included 30 females in the age group of 20–50 years. Exercise included warming up for 10 min, followed by intense exercise for 40 min and then the last 10 min of relaxing exercise. Kickboxing exercise included upper limb and lower limb movements mimicking punching. Blood samples were collected from the antecubital vein with all aseptic precautions. Two blood samples were collected. First sample before the exercise and the second sample was immediately after 1 h of intense exercise. 2 mL blood was collected in a container without any anticoagulant. A lipid profile study for TC, TG, HDL, LDL, and VLDL was done using the automated biochemical analyzer.
Results: In our study, the post exercise samples showed a significant increase in HDL levels and significantly decreased levels of TC, TG, LDL and VLDL.
Conclusion: The effects of one session of intense exercise on lipid profile in females are beneficial as HDL levels are increased and TG, LDL and VLDL levels are decreased. These results are encouraging and useful for promoting females for regular exercise. This is very important for perimenopausal and postmenopausal females, as after menopause females are more prone for hypercholesterolemia due to a lack of estrogen.
Key words: Exercise; Cholesterol; Triglyceride, Low Density Lipoprotein; Very Low Density Lipoprotein; High Density Cholesterol
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