Influence of moderate physical activity on the levels of plasma lipoproteins in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance

Abstract

Introduction. Physical activity and healthy diet, as lifestyle factors, are essential components in the prevention of chronic noncommunicable diseases. Impared glucose intolerance (IGT) is an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Dyslipidaemia is a cardiometabolic risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Objective. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of moderate physical activity of plasma lipoprotein indicators in high-risk subjects for diabetes mellitus during one-year planned intervention. Methods. We randomly assigned 60 overweight subjects with IGT aged 30-60 years. The subjects were divided into intervention group with 30 subjects, who were intensively and individually instructed on weight reduction, nutrition and increased physical activity, and control group with 30 subjects, who were counselled, as standard, on nutrition and increased exercise. Total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (Tg) were measured at the beginning of the study, and at 2 months, 6 months, and at the end of the study (12 months). Results. Compared to the beginning of the study, after 2 and 6 months there was no statistically significant difference in serum lipid values. After 12 months, the average values of the measured lipid levels in the intervention group decreased by 18.36% for TC, 27.3% for LDL-C, and 34.2% for Tg (compared to 10.27%, 13.45%, and 10.4%, respectively in the control group). Value of HDL-C in the intervention group increased by 19.12%, and decreased in the control group by 1.48%. Total/HDL-C ratio was reduced by 30.6% and LDL-C/H by 38.1% in the intervention group (compared to 12.36%, and 15.9% in the control group). After 12 months, significantly greater decrease in TC (p<0.01), LDL-C (p<0.01) and Tg (p<0.0001) and significantly greater increase in HDL-C (p<0.05) was detected in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusion. Plasma lipoproteins can be significantly decreased by changes in the lifestyles of high-risk subjects during one-year planned intervention. © 2012. Centre for Evaluation in Education and Science.