Effects of an eight-week exercise program on parameters of the lipid profile of female students

BACKGROUND: Increased lipid levels are one of the major risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of short-term (8 weeks) aerobic exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity on lipid profile in young healthy females. METHODS: 27 female students (mean age 20.5 ± 1 year) completed 8 weeks of aerobic training that included two exercise sessions of continuous aerobic activity of moderate intensity (running 35-60 min) and one exercise session with interval training of vigorous intensity. Intervention aerobic capacity and lipid profile were examined before and after the exercise. RESULTS: Exercise intervention has caused a decrease of low density lipoprotein levels per 9.8% (from 2.52 ± 0.47 to 2.27 ± 0.53 mmol/L; p < 0.001) and significant improvement of high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels per 22.7% (from 1.29 ± 0.24 to 1.59 ± 0.24 mmol/L; p < 0.001), total cholesterol/HDL ratio per 17.2 % and aerobic capacity (VO(2max)) per 3.8 % (43.9 ± 3.7 to 45.56 ± 3.63 mLO2/kg/min). CONCLUSIONS: The results support the hypothesis that a short-term aerobic exercise intervention of moderate to vigorous intensity may have significant effects on blood lipid profile in young healthy females.