Influences of Weight Loss and Physical Exercise on Lipid Panel in Overweight Middle-Aged Men

Background: Cardiovascular risk is reduced by weight loss and exercise, but their relative effects and independent significance are unclear. Objectives: The effect of weight loss and the implementation of an exercise strategy on the lipid panel of overweight middle-aged men, who lead a sedentary lifestyle, was investigated. Methods: Eighty four men participated in this 12-week cross-sectional study. Participants were randomly assigned to the four study groups: endurance sports, energy-restricted diet, endurance sports with boosted nutrition, and control. The energy reduction rate was the same (approximately 15% of the daily calorie requirement) for the group involved in endurance sports and for the group with an energy-restricted diet. The participants in the endurance sports with boosted nutrition performed the same exercises but remained in energy balance due to a 15% increase in calories during training. Participant lipid panel profile and weight loss parameters were measured once at the start of the study, and again at the end. Results: Weight loss was the same between the endurance sports (-6.5 ± 0.6 kg) and energy-restricted diet (- 6.2 ± 0.5 kg) groups. Whereas in the endurance sports with boosted nutrition (-0.8 ± 0.4 kg), and control (-0.1 ± 0.7 kg) groups, weight remained constant. Levels of TC and LDL-C decreased in the endurance sports compared to the control group (P 0.11). Differences in TC and LDL-C levels were connected with changes in body mass (P < 0.01). In the endurance sports with boosted nutrition group, we noted a rise in HDL-C (P < 0.001). Conclusions: A decrease in body weight caused by exercise reduced pro-atherogenic lipoproteins, while physical activity compensated with energy consumption increased HDL-C.