Researchers
at the American Physiological Society studied 90 men between the ages of 18 and 30
to see whether weight or
fitness was more important in maintaining healthy HDL levels. Before the experiment
began, the authors of the study took basic physical measurements from the
volunteers: height, weight, waist size, blood pressure and body composition.
Researchers also analyzed the blood of participants for cholesterol, insulin
and other markers for heart disease. What were the results of the study?
1. Participants with normal weight who engaged in a regular weightlifting program had HDL levels that functioned better than overweight participants and nonexercising participants.
2. Participants, independent of their weight, who engaged in a regular weightlifting program had HDL levels that functioned better than nonexercising participants.
The answer is number 2. The critical factor in maintaining functional, healthy HDL levels was regular exercise—in this case, weightlifting. This conclusion is encouraging to those of us who may be overweight but still seek to be healthy.
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