RESUMO
The effect of physical exercise on lipid and apoprotein levels was studied in 31 healthy fertile women (mean age, 39.7 +/- 2.3 years) working as civil servants and leading a mostly sedentary way of life (group 1). A control group consisted of 31 age-matched women (mean age, 39.2 +/- 2.4 years) with a comparable life-style (group 2). Group 1 performed physical exercise for at least 30 minutes three times per week. They also climbed a 500-m hill at least once per week. The study lasted 6 months, ie, from May to November 1990. Changes in maximum oxygen consumption (Vo2max), body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), and levels of lipids and apolipoproteins (apos) A-1 and B were compared between the two groups of subjects. During the May-November period, the control group showed an increase in body weight (P < .02), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, HDL3, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P < .01) and a decrease in HDL2 (P < .05). In contrast, group 1 did not show any increase in total cholesterol, and their body weight decreased (P < .01). Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased (P < .02), as did LDL cholesterol and HDL2 levels (P < .05), whereas HDL cholesterol and HDL3 levels increased (P < .01). There were no statistically significant changes in WHR and apo A-1 level. The findings indicated possible seasonal variations in lipoprotein levels in group 2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)