Changes in plasma lipids and lipoproteins following 10-days of prolonged walking: influence of age and relationship to physical activity level

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine (1) the influence of 10 days of prolonged walking on plasma total-cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations, (2) the effect of age on any changes in plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein concentration, and (3) whether any changes in cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations are correlated to the participants' physical activity level (PAL). Seventeen male participants were divided into two groups according to their age. The nine participants in group 1 constituted the younger group (age 24 +/- 3 (SD) years), whereas eight older participants were in group 2 (age 56 +/- 3 years). Both groups completed 10 consecutive days of high-intensity hill walking. Mean (range) daily distances and ascent were 21 km (10-35 km) and 1,160 m (800-2,540 m), respectively. Identical distances and ascents were covered by each group. For each participant, PAL was calculated from energy expenditure, assessed by the doubly-labeled water technique, divided by the individual's basal metabolic rate. Venous blood was sampled immediately prior to, and following, the 10 consecutive days of walking. Following these 10 days, the older group showed a greater decrease in both TC (-25 +/- 11% vs. -10 +/- 11%; P < 0.05) and LDL-C (-26 +/- 12% vs. -4 +/- 13%; P < 0.05) when compared with the young. Likewise, the older group showed a greater increase in HDL-C (38 +/- 15%; P < 0.05), after the 10 days, whereas no significant change was evident in the younger group. In the older participants, there were strong positive relationships between PAL and the decreases in TC (r = 0.79, P < 0.05) and LDL-C (r = 0.74, P < 0.05). Conversely, in the younger group there were strong negative relationships between PAL and the decreases in TC (r = -0.74, P < 0.05) and LDL-C (r = -0.86, P < 0.01). These correlations persisted when changes in lipid concentrations were corrected for changes in plasma volume. These data suggest an 'age-dependant' threshold for PAL, rather than a specific exercise intensity or duration, may be critical for inducing favourable changes in HDL-C, LDL-C and TC.

Determinants of changes in lipid levels in a prophylactic programme

“…A decrease in the lipid level in the blood plasma was more significant in older respondents than that in younger ones. Moderate physical activity has a positive influence on the lipid balance of the elderly [23]. The ATTICA Study also confirmed a positive influence of physical activity on the lipid balance.…”

Lipid profile in men and women with different levels of sports participation and physical activity

“…Regarding this finding it can be argued that the criterion used to consider sports with an intensity of at least 3?5-4?0 METs (walking) as health-related sports participation in the older and middle-aged groups was rather low. However, former studies have shown that even walking has beneficial effects on the lipid profile and lowers the risk of coronary events, especially in older participants (37,43,44) . It should be mentioned that also in the present study BMI and alcohol consumption were observed to be important determinants of the lipid profile.…”

“…When differentiating In the middle-aged ($45 to ,55 years) and older age groups ($55 years) no significant differences were observed except for HDL-C in middle-aged men grouped by EE SPORT and TAG in men older than 55 years of age differentiated according to EE ALT . However, several studies have shown the beneficial effect of physical activity on the lipid profile in middle-aged and older adults (8,10,15,21,22,26,37,43) . It has already been suggested that energy expenditure has to be above a certain threshold (33) .…”

Involvement of advanced glycation end products in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications: the protective role of regular physical activity

“…In this sense, the option of the regular practice of physical activity could be one interesting approach to controlling glycaemia through the reduction of peripheral resistance to insulin, attenuating the formation of AGEs, as well as associated oxidative stress [24,45]. Moreover, the enhancement of the antioxidant enzymatic capacity [63], the improvement of vasodilatation capacity of blood vessels [38] and the favourable modifications of lipoprotein blood profile [6,32] and the increment of LDL oxidation resistance [150] have also been described as favourable adaptations of diabetic patients taking part in physical exercise programmes. All these advantages may also be complemented by the improvement in the profile of inflammatory markers induced by physical exercise in diabetic patients, namely a diminution of the C-reactive protein [54,67,103], IL-1 [54], IL-6 [40, 54,67], IL-8 [93], IL-18 [67], tumour necrosis factor-α [67], interferon γ [54] and ICAM-1 [151] and an increase in IL-10 [54].…”