PURPOSE:
The aim of this study was to investigate training and detraining effects on blood lipids and apolipoproteins induced by a specific program that combined strength and aerobic exercise in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
METHODS:
For this study, 14 patients participated in a supervised 8-month training program composed of two strength sessions (60% of 1 repetition maximum) and two aerobic training sessions (60%-85% of maximum heart rate), and 13 patients served as a control group. Blood samples for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoproteins A1 (apo-A1) and B (apo-B), and lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]) were obtained along with muscular strength at the beginning of the study, after 4 and 8 months of training and after 3 months of detraining.
RESULTS:
The patients in the intervention group showed favorable alterations after 8 months of training (TC, −9.4; TG, −18.6; HDL-C, 5.2; apo-A1, 11.2%; P < .05), but these were reversed after 3 months of detraining (TC, +3.7; TG, 16.1; HDL-C, −3.6; apo-A1, −5.5%). In addition, body strength also improved after training (27.8%) but reversed (−12.9%) after detraining (P < .05). The patients in the control group did not experience any significant alterations.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results indicate that an 8-month training program combining strength and aerobic exercise induces favorable muscular and biochemical adaptations, on TC, TG, HDL-C, and apo-A1 levels, protecting patients with CAD. After 3 months of detraining, however, the favorable adaptations were reversed, underscoring the need of uninterrupted exercise throughout life.
