THE EFFECT OF MODERATE PHYSICAL EXERCISE ON THE PLASMA-LIPOPROTEIN SUBFRACTIONS OF MALE SURVIVORS OF MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

The effect of regular, moderate exercise on the lipoprotein subfractions of male survivors of myocardial infarction was studied. Nineteen men were randomly allocated to an incremental exercise program and 23 to a control group. Both groups were studied for 6 mo. No change occurred in any lipoprotein class in the control group. In the trained group, total triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations decreased significantly (0.01 > P > 0.001 and 0.05 > P > 0.01, respectively), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-1 rose (both P < 0.001). The concentration of the HDL2 subfraction increased with training (0.01 > P > 0.001) and HDL3 did not change. No relationship was found between changes in lipoproteins and treadmill exercise test performance. In survivors of myocardial infarction, exercise may alter plasma lipoprotein values beneficially.