Effect of an individualised physical exercise program on lipid profile in sedentary patients with cardiovascular risk factors.

Physical exercise has become in an important tool in the reduction of cardiovascular risk.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of an unsupervised physical exercise program that on the physical condition and the lipid profile.

METHOD: The final sample included 49 sedentary men and women, who were non-smokers, with dyslipidaemia, overweight, and type1 obesity. The 4-month program included walking for 30-60minutes every day, and for three days a week, 30minutes of cycling at an intensity of 40-60% of maximum functional capacity, as well as isometric abdominals and static stretching. Anthropometrics, physical condition (6minute test), and the lipid profile were evaluated before and after the physical exercise program. The objective was to achieve a caloric expenditure between 1200-2000kcal/week.

RESULTS: At the end of the program it was observed, in both sexes, that there was a decrease in total cholesterol (P<0.02), LDL cholesterol (P<0.01), VLDL cholesterol (P<0.01), and triglycerides (P<0.05), and an increase HDL cholesterol (P<0.05). There was also an increase in the distance travelled in the 6minute test of 52m in men and 39.5m in women (P<0.002), plus a decrease in the perception of fatigue on the Borg scale of 1.19 in men, and 0.96 in women (P<0.01). There were no anthropometric changes.

CONCLUSIONS: The physical exercise improved physical condition and the lipid profile in the sample that has been studied, with 64% of participants continuing to do it.