Exercise and hypertriglyceridemia: Work capacity, plasma lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein levels, and respiratory exchange ratio slope

Eight hypertriglyceridemic subjects with baseline plasma triglycerides of 321 ± 136 mg% were entered in an exercise training program. While expending 2,000 kcal a week through physical activity, the subjects maintained a constant dietary intake and body weight. Among subjects completing 6 months of exercise training no significant reduction in total plasma triglycerides was noted (264 ± 120 mg% to 219 ± 23 mg%), but significant (p <.05) increases in HDL-C (26 ± 5 to 30 ± 5 mg%) and HDL₂-C (16 ± 4 to 18 ± 3 mg%), as well as a significant reduction in the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (3.4 ± 1.1 to 2.7 ± 1.0), were noted. A negative respiratory exchange ratio slope was seen during an acute 90-minute submaximal exercise bout among all subjects. Hypertriglyceridemic subjects had beneficial changes in plasma lipids and lipoproteins during exercise training without a change in weight or diet composition. Exercise training can have an important role in the management of hypertriglyceridemic subjects by decreasing their risk for CAD.