Continuous and interval aerobic sessions: effects on triglyceride concentrations

Abstract

The regular practice of physical exercise, primarily aerobic, has been recommended as a component of the non-pharmacological treatment for dyslipidemias. However, there is a lack of studies in the literature comparing the acute effects of different aerobic exercise models (continuous and interval) on triglycerides concentrations. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the magnitude of change on triglycerides concentrations after a single session of interval and continuous exercise in persons with dyslipidemia. This study was a randomized crossover clinical trial. Fifteen volunteers performed two different aerobic sessions, a continuous and an interval session. The intensity of the continuous session was maintained between 85-90% of the heart rate at anaerobic threshold (HRAT). The interval session consisted of 9 sets of 4 minutes at 85-90%HRAT followed by one minute below 85%HRAT. Triglycerides concentrations were assessed before, immediately after and at the end of 30 minutes after all sessions. Both sessions models resulted in alterations in triglycerides concentrations immediately after exercise (p = 0.005), without difference between them (p = 0.446). Continuous session increased triglycerides concentrations by 34.9% from pre-exercise to immediately post-exercise and the interval session, by 7.9%. Thirty minutes after exercise, triglyceride concentrations showed no significant difference in relation to the pre-exercise and immediately after exercise moments in both session models. Therefore, it is concluded that aerobic exercise promotes responses in triglycerides concentrations of dyslipidemic patients, independently of the exercise method, either continuous or interval.

Keywords

• Lipids
• Training
• Dyslipidemia
• Randomized clinical trial