Differential effect of resistance training on the body composition and lipoprotein-lipid profile in older men and women

The effects of a 12-week resistance exercise training (RT) program on body composition and serum lipid concentrations were assessed in weight-stable, moderately overweight older men (n = 18) and women (n = 17) aged 54 to 71 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 26 to 36 kg/m(2). Following RT,the men had a significant increase in fat-free mass (FFM) and a decrease in percent body fat (%BF) and fat mass (FM), whereas the women demonstrated no change, resulting in significant lime-by-sex interactions for FFM (P = .002), %BF (P = .006), and FM (P = .005); There were no changes in total cholesterol (Chol), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or triacylglycerol (Tg) due to RT. However, following RT, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased (0.06 +/- 0.02 mmol/L) in the men and decreased (0.09 +/- 0.03 mmol/L) in the women (time-by-sex interaction, P = .0004). The Chol/HDL-C ratio decreased (0.36 +/- 0.11) in the men and increased (0.29 +/- 0.10) in the women (time-by-sex interaction, P = .0001). For all subjects combined, the changes in HDL-C and the Chol/HDL-C ratio were not related to any changes in body fat stores (ie, %BF or FM), suggesting that RT may potentially alter the lipoprotein-lipid profile in older weight-stable men and women. In conclusion, although the changes in the lipoprotein-lipid profile were small, the men had a significantly increased HDL-C level and decreased Chol/HDL-C ratio, while the women demonstrated opposite changes. Copyright (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.