Changes in HDL-c concentrations after 16 weeks of combined training in postmenopausal women: characteristics of positive and negative responders

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the individual characteristics of body composition and metabolic profile that could explain interindividual variation in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) concentrations in response to 16 weeks of combined strength plus aerobic (combined) training in postmenopausal women. The participants were divided into tertiles based on percentage of changes in HDL-c concentrations after combined training. Only women in the upper tertile (positive responders: Δ > 10.4%; n = 19) and lower tertile (negative responders: Δ < -1.4%; n = 19) were considered for analyses. The total body fat (BF), trunk fat (TF), android fat (AF), gynoid fat, and lean body mass were estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The metabolic profile - glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, HDL-c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) - were assessed. After 16 weeks, both positive and negative responders presented similar improvement in body composition, such as a decrease in percentage and kilograms of BF, TF, and AF, and increase in lean body mass (p value for time < 0.05). As expected, there was an effect of time and also a significant interaction (time vs. group) (p value < 0.001) in the improvement of HDL-c, with higher values for positive responders. Regarding metabolic profile, there were significant interactions (time vs. group) for triacylglycerol (p value = 0.032) and VLDL (p value = 0.027) concentrations, with lower values for positive responders. Our results suggests there is heterogeneity in combined training-induced HDL-c changes in postmenopausal women, and the positive responders were those who presented more pronounced decreases in triacylglycerol and VLDL concentrations.

Moderate and high intensity exercise improves glycaemia, blood pressure and body composition in menopausal women with type 2 diabetes

“…On the other hand, some studies have shown improvement in this parameter after combined aerobic and resistance training or with high-intensity training (Alvarez et al, 2018;Ho et al, 2012). It was observed that the post-menopausal women who presented a reduction in TG after physical exercise were those who had elevated HDL-C, corroborating our study (Diniz et al, 2018). Another important factor interfering with TG levels is diet or eating habits (Albu et al, 2010), which were not evaluated in this study.…”

“…Menopause increases cardiovascular and metabolic risk, in addition to frequently leading to emotional changes that can compromise treatment and worsen T2DM (Clegg et al, 2017;Diniz et al, 2018). The practice of regular physical exercise is an important strategy in this phase of a woman's life, with several benefits depending on the type of exercise (Maillard et al, 2016).…”

“…The study included women with T2DM in amenorrhea for at least 12 consecutive months, sedentary or not practising regular physical activity (according to WHO criteria) (Diniz et al, 2018) and able to practice physical exercise by the Par-Q.…”

“…The American Diabetes Association (ADA) (ADA, 2019) recommends that patients with T2DM perform regular combined exercise at moderate intensity (MI) and those able to do it at high intensity (HI) to achieve better benefits. Previous studies have also shown that physical activity is beneficial in relieving menopausal symptoms (Conceição et al, 2013;Diniz et al, 2018;Maillard et al, 2016). However, there is no consensus in the literature regarding this guidance on the type and intensity of physical exercise.…”

Reverse Cholesterol Transport: Molecular Mechanisms and the Non-medical Approach to Enhance HDL Cholesterol

“…Also, our group investigated the individual characteristics of body composition and metabolic profile that explain interindividual variation in HDL-c concentrations in response to 16 weeks of combined strength and aerobic training in postmenopausal women. We concluded that the positive responders had around 11% less HDL-c (6.31 mg/dL) at baseline than negative responders, suggesting that the positive response to combined training is also mediated by the metabolic health of the individual at baseline ( Diniz et al, 2017 ).…”