Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of 16 weeks of periodized resistance training in lipid profile in sedentary middle-aged men and women.
Methods: Healthy subjects (N.=50), middle-aged men and postmenopausal women (>12 months amenorrhea), were randomized into resistance training men (RTM), resistance training women (RTW), control group men (CGM) and control group women (CGW). They performed three weekly sessions for 16 weeks (9 exercises with 3 x 8-10 RM and with a 60-90 seconds rest period).
Results: Trained groups showed significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC) (RTM -23.61%; RTW -21.08%; P=0.0001) and LDL-C (RTM -35.68%; RTW -38.53%; P=0.0001). No significant changes were observed in HDL-C and triglycerides (TG). No significant changes were found in plasma levels of LDL-C, HDL-C and TG for control groups, though there were significant differences between CGM and CGW for TC.
Conclusion: The present results indicate that 16 weeks of periodized RT contribute to decrease of cardiovascular risk factors, such as LDL-C and TC in middle-aged men and women, even without changes in body mass and body mass index.