Effects of different exercise modalities on lipid profile in the elderly population: A meta-analysis.

Hezhang Yun, Wenbo Su, Haotian Zhao, Huixin Li, Zhongjie Wang, Xianyou Cui, Changjin Xi, Ruirui Gao, Yaowei Sun, Chang Liu

Journal: Medicine 2023;102(29):e33854

PMID: 37478257

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Plain Language Summary

Hyperlipidemia is characterised by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the blood which increases the risk of developing age-related health issues including cardiovascular diseases. Engaging in regular physical activity can lower the risk of developing metabolism-related health problems. However, the effect of different types of exercise on lipid levels may vary in elderly people. This meta-analysis of twenty randomised controlled trials compared the effects of different exercise modalities on lipid profiles in the elderly population. The results of this study showed that aerobic exercise exhibited greater benefits in mitigating lipid profile compared to resistance training alone or a combination of aerobic exercise, resistance training and high-intensity interval training in the elderly population. Healthcare professionals can better understand the effects of aerobic exercise on glycolipid metabolism in elderly people using the results of this study. However, further robust studies are required due to the heterogeneity between the included studies to understand the duration and intensity of aerobic exercise required to ameliorate the lipid profile in elderly people.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Dyslipidemia, characterized by elevated total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), as well as decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), has long been recognized as a major risk factor for age-related diseases. Recent studies have shown that exercise can be effective in mitigating dyslipidemia in older adults. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the effects of different exercise modalities (aerobic exercise [AE], resistance exercise [RE], aerobic+resistance exercise [AE+RE], and high-intensity interval training) on lipid profile in the elderly population, in order to identify the most effective exercise modality for maintaining lipid profile health in older adults.

METHODS

A comprehensive database search of PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang database. Eligible studies were individually assessed according to the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool version 2, and the data were analyzed and processed using RevMan 5.4.1 analysis software.

RESULTS

This study identified 20 randomized controlled trials with a total of 988 subjects, of which 541 were in the exercise group and 447 in the control group. Our analysis showed that AE significantly reduced TC (P < .05), triglycerides (P < .01), and LDL-C (P < .01), while increasing HDL-C (P < .01) in the elderly population. RE significantly reduced the elevation of TC (P < .01) and LDL-C (P < .05) indices in the elderly population, while AE+RE had a significant effect on decreasing TC (P < .01) and LDL-C (P < .01) indices.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis indicates that AE is the most effective exercise modality for reducing dyslipidemia in older adults, compared to RE, AE+RE, and high-intensity interval training. These findings suggest that AE should be promoted as an important lifestyle intervention to improve lipid profile health in the elderly population. However, further research is needed to investigate the optimal duration, frequency, and intensity of AE required to achieve the most beneficial effects on lipid profile health in older adults.

Address: The Public Sports Department of the School, Zhejiang Guangsha Vocational and Technical University of construction, Dongyang, China.; School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.; Department of Sports Teaching and Research, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.; Department of Physical Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.; School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.; The Public Sports Department of the School, Zhejiang Guangsha Vocational and Technical University of construction, Dongyang, China.; School of Journalism and Communication, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.; School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.; Yufeng experimental school, Kunshan, China.

DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000033854

Patient Centred Factor

Mediators: Aerobic Exercise

Clinical Imbalances

Structural Integrity and Musculoskeletal

Laboratory Testing

Blood

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors

Exercise and movement

Nutrition Evidence Keywords

Exercise Triglycerides Lipid profile Dyslipidemia Total cholesterol (TC) High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) Elderly people Glycolipid metabolism Hyperlipidemia Aerobic exercise (AE) Resistance exercise (RE) Aerobic+resistance exercise (AE+RE) High-intensity interval training (HIIT)

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Aged, Lipids, Cholesterol, LDL, Exercise, Triglycerides, Cholesterol, HDL, Hypercholesterolemia, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic