The Effect of 12-Week of Aerobic Training on Homocysteine, Lipoprotein A and Lipid Profile Levels in Sedentary Middle-aged Men

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 12-week of aerobic training on homocysteine, lipoprotein A and lipid profile levels in sedentary middle-age men. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study. Subjects of the study were 24 men (age 40-60) who participated is the study voluntarily and were randomly assigned in aerobic (n = 12) and control (n = 12) groups. The subjects participated in progressive aerobic training on treadmill 3 times a week (20 min/session (60% maximum heart rate) to 60 min (75% maximum heart rate). Homocysteine, lipoprotein A, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured before and after 12-week. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test statistical methods. RESULTS: Research findings showed a significant decrease in homocysteine (P = 0.002), lipoprotein A (P = 0.003), TG (P = 0.008), cholesterol (P = 0.024) and LDL (P = 0.019), significant increase in HDL (P = 0.017) in posttest compared to pretest. Furthermore, research findings showed that homocysteine (P = 0.005), lipoprotein A (P = 0.001), TG (P = 0.006), cholesterol (P = 0.015), LDL (P = 0.022), and HDL (P = 0.004) levels between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reveal the 3 sessions/week of aerobic training cause reduction of homocysteine, lipoprotein A, and lipid profile levels in sedentary middle-aged men and can be recommended for prevention of cardiovascular disease.