Comparison of resistive to aerobic exercise training on cardiovascular risk factors of sedentary, overweight premenopausal and postmenopausal women

Physical inactivity has been identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease similar to that of hypercholesterolemia. However, few studies compare the type of exercise to effects on plasma lipids, especially of postmenopausal women. Premenopausal and postmenopausal subjects participated in resistive (12 subjects) or aerobic (I I subjects) training program for 12 weeks. Triglyceride levels of the postmenopausal women and total and LDL cholesterol of both premenopausal and postmenopausal women were significantly lower after exercise compared to prestudy levels. No significant difference was found in the HDL cholesterol levels. Insulin and C-peptide area under the curve, but not glucose, significantly decreased with both types of exercise. The type of exercise was more important to postmenopausal than premenopausal women, and aerobic exercise had the greater affect (28% decrease) on the cardiovascular risk factor, cholesterol. Based on these results, health professionals can recommend walking as an effective exercise for older women. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.