Abstract

In this study, 90 middle-aged men were randomly assigned to exercise (E, n= 44) and control groups (C, n= 46) to examine the role of physical exercise on serum lipoproteins. While the exercise group participated in a 2-month training program, the control group maintained their previous exercise habits. Serum triglycerides decreased from 1.54 ± 0.10 to 1.27 ± 0.08 mmol/1 (p<0.001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased from 1.27 ± 0.04 to 1.41 ± 0.04 mmol/1 (p<0.01) in the exercise group after intervention. As the concentration of apolipoprotein AI stayed constant in both groups, the ratio of HDL cholesterol/apolipoprotein AII increased only in the exercise group. While the change in serum triglycerides in the exercise group was not dependent on  weight reduction, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol changed based on weight reduction.

Key words: Serum lipoproteins, physical exercise, middle aged men.