The Long-term Effect of Different Exercise Intensities on High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Older Men and Women Using the Per Protocol Approach: The Generation 100 Study

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether 5 years of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration more than moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and control (CON) in older men and women. METHODS: A total of 1567 older adults (790 [50.4%] women) were randomized (2:1:1) to either CON (n=780; asked to follow the national recommendations for physical activity) or 2 weekly sessions of HIIT (10-minute warm-up followed by 4×4-minute intervals at ∼90% of peak heart rate) or MICT (50 minutes of continuous work at ∼70% of peak heart rate). Serum HDL-C concentration was measured by standard procedures at baseline and at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years. The study took place between August 21, 2012, and June 31, 2018. Linear mixed models were used to determine between-group differences during 5 years using the per protocol approach. RESULTS: Men in HIIT had a smaller reduction in HDL-C (−1.2%) than men in CON (−6.9%) and MICT (−7.8%) after 5 years (P=.01 and P=.03 for CON vs HIIT and MICT vs HIIT, respectively). No effect of exercise intensity on HDL-C was seen in women. Changes in peak oxygen uptake were associated with changes in HDL-C in both men and women, whereas changes in body weight and fat mass were not. CONCLUSION: In men, HIIT seems to be the best strategy to prevent a decline in HDL-C during a 5-year period. No effect of exercise intensity was seen for older women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01666340.