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Int J Sports Med 1984; 05(3): 137-141
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1025895
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

The Effects of Menopause and Training on Serum Lipids*

S. Rainville, P. Vaccaro
  • Exercise Science Laboratory, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
* Supported in part by a grant from Avon Products, Incorporated Supported in part by Bressler Grant #3N-CZCG from University of Maryland Medical School
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Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Forty women were studied to determine the effect of training and menopause on serum levels of total cholesterol (Tc), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and the ratio of HDL-C/LDL-C. Subjects were assigned to one of four groups: (a) premenopausal trained runners (Pre-T) (25-75 miles per week) (V̇O2max 44.82 ml/kg-1·min-1) (N = 10); (b) premenopausal untrained who took part in no regular aerobic exercise (Pre-UT) (V̇O2max 28.60 ml/kg-1·min-1) (N = 10); (c) postmenopausal trained runners (Post-T) (25-65 miles per week) (V̇O2max 40.25 ml/kg-1·min-1) (N = 10); (d) postmenopausal untrained who took part in no regular aerobic exercise (Post-UT) (V̇O2max 21.50 ml/kg-1·min-1) (N = 10). None of the women smoked, were taking oral contraceptives, or any form of hormonal replacement. The postmenopausal women had all undergone natural menopause. Analysis of variance indicated: (a) no significant differences between Pre-T and Pre-UT in measures of Tc (188.04 mg/dl; 206.46 mg/dl) and HDL-C (73.2 mg/dl; 62.10 mg/dl) (P > 0.05) and a significant difference between Pre-T and Pre-UT in LDL-C (114.57 mg/dl; 144.57 mg/dl) and HDL-C/LDL-C (0.66; 0.44) (P < 0.05); (b) no significant differences between Pre-T and Post-T for Tc, HDL-C, LDL-C, and HDL-C/LDL-C (P > 0.05); (c) significant differences between Pre-UT and Post-UT in Tc (206.46 mg/dl; 241.15 mg/dl), LDL-C (144.36 mg/dl; 184.85 mg/dl), and HDL-C/LDL-C (0.44; 0.32) (P < 0.05), and no significant difference between these groups in HDL-C (P > 0.05); (d) no significant difference between Post-T and Post-UT in Tc (P > 0.05) and significant differences between these groups in measures of HDL-C (74.14 mg/dl; 55.54 mg/dl); LDL-C (141.45 mg/dl; 185.85 mg/dl), and HDL-C/LDL-C (0.57; 0.32) (P < 0.05). It was concluded that training prior to menopause had a positive effect on LDL-C levels and the HDL-C/LDL-C ratio. This positive effect continued with training following menopause and in addition HDL-C levels were also elevated. It was further suggested that menopause causes adverse changes in serum lipid levels that may be offset, at least in part, by endurance training.

Key words

training - menopause - serum lipids

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