Influence of physical fitness on some selected blood lipids in pre-and post-menopausal women

Abstract

There's no better time than the years surrounding menopause for a woman to start or renew an exercise programme. Exercise may reduce the immediate symptoms of menopause, and it decreases the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, depression and obesity. Data were gathered from 250 pre-menopausal (35-49 years) and 107 post-menopausal women (50-64 years) who formed part of a comprehensive community study. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of physical fitness on total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides in pre- and post-menopausal women. Physical fitness was expressed as physical working capacity (PWC₁₇₀), which was determined by a progressive cycle ergometer test. Statistical significant differences (p<0.05) occurred between the pre- and postmenopausal groups regarding the total cholesterol-, LDL-C-, and triglyceride concentrations. The more favourable levels of the named lipid in the pre-menopausal group are probably the result of active ovarial hormone secretion in this group. The same inter-group tendency occurred irrespective of whether the participant is fit or unfit. In the intra-group (within the same age group) results, physical fitness showed no statistical significant differences in the various lipid parameters, except the triglyceride concentration where statistical significant differences occurred in both the pre- and postmenopausal group.

Key Words: Physical fitness, menopause, cholesterol, blood lipids.

AJPHERD Vol.10(4) 2004: 271-280