Chronic effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on cardio-metabolic profile in healthy nonobese subjects

Vanita Lal; Anubhav Raj; Bharti Bhandari

Vanita Lal Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Anubhav Raj Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Bharti Bhandari Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Keywords: Aerobic exercise, C‑reactive protein, Creatinine, Lipid profile, Resistance exercise

Abstract

Background and Aim: Exercise is considered the best preventive measure for cardiovascular (CV) morbidity. But, it is of paramount importance to know the type of exercise that provides maximum benefits. This study was planned to compare various CV and biochemical parameters in subjects performing different types of exercise. Methods: The study was performed on young healthy nonobese volunteers divided into three groups: Sedentary controls, resistance exercise and aerobic exercise groups. In all the groups, CV parameters viz., heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) were measured and the blood sample were analyzed for fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, serum creatinine, blood urea, uric acid and C‑reactive protein (CRP) using standard procedures. This was followed by comparison of these parameters among the three groups. Results: HR (P = 0.002), systolic blood pressure (P = 0.021) and rate pressure product (P = 0.003) were significantly low in aerobic group in comparison to the sedentary controls as well as in resistance group. FBG (P = 0.010), total cholesterol (P < 0.001), low density lipoprotein (P < 0.001), triglyceride (P = 0.012) and lipid risk factors (P < 0.001) were significantly lower in subjects performing aerobic exercises than in subjects performing resistance exercises and in sedentary controls. Serum high‑density lipoprotein (HDL) (P < 0.001) was significantly higher in resistance and aerobic groups than in the control group. Serum creatinine was found to be significantly higher in the aerobic group with no significant difference in CRP level among the three groups. Conclusion: Aerobic exercises might have extra benefits due to less myocardial oxygen consumption and load, and increasing HDL. However, as creatinine level gets altered due to aerobic exercise in the absence of any renal damage, this should be taken into consideration while assessing renal functions in these individuals.