OT-Does Aerobic Exercise Increase HDL Levels?

a little off the beaten path, but I thought it might interest somebody

Mark

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Does Aerobic Exercise Increase HDL Levels?

Results of a meta-analysis show small improvements and a need for more data.

To investigate the association between aerobic exercise and change in HDL levels, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 25 randomized trials. The study was restricted to trials that included aerobic training in adults, measured HDL at baseline and at the end of the intervention, had an intervention period of at least 8 weeks, and included a nonexercise control group.

The sample sizes of the trials ranged from 9 to 200, and the total number of participants was 1404. The mean intervention period was 27.4 weeks. Overall, the quality of the studies, as assessed by the Jadad scale, was low.

The mean change in HDL was very small (2.53 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval, 1.36–3.70). Significant HDL increases were found only in programs with longer exercise sessions (>120 min/week) and in those with higher weekly estimated energy expenditures (>900 kcal/week). The increases, however, remained modest even when they were significant.

Comment: This study supports the value of exercise interventions, especially those that involve longer sessions and higher weekly exercise expenditures, in raising levels of HDL. The differences were rather small, so the effect may be more meaningful at a population level than at an individual patient level. This report reveals disappointing weaknesses in the literature and the paucity of data about the beneficial effects of exercise on HDL. It does not preclude the possibility, however, that some people may have a more dramatic response, particularly as part of a program to reach an optimal weight.

— Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

Published in Journal Watch Cardiology July 11, 2007

Citation

Kodama S et al. Effect of aerobic exercise training on serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: A meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med 2007 May 28; 167:999-1008.[Medline® abstract]

Copyright © 2007. Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.
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