Effects of 8 weeks resistance training on serum lipids in sedentary male smokers

In order to evaluate the effect of dynamic resistance training (DRT) on lipid profiles, 28 sedentary male smokers (mean age 28 years, 7 months) were randomly placed into a control group (CG) (n = 15) or an experimental group (EG) (n = 13). While the CG took part in no structured exercise throughout the eight-week period, the EG exercised using DRT for the eight weeks (nine exercises were performed at 60% of one repetition maximum, three times per week, non-consecutively) and were monitored for changes in lipid profiles. Although the independent and paired t-tests demonstrated no statistically significant changes in any of the measured lipid profile concentrations, the following changes were observed: decreases in total cholesterol (0.52%) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.95%), and increases in triglycerides (1.96%) and high-density lipoproteins (4.41%). The lack of statistically significant changes in the individual lipid parameters could not have been affected by diet, cigarettes smoked daily, aerobic fitness and/or body mass, since these parameters did not change significantly from the pre- to post-test measures. Key words: Cholesterol, male smokers, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), lipids, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), resistance training, triglycerides (TG). (Af. J. Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance: 2003 Special Edition: 148-157