Hormone Replacement Therapy Does Not Alter the Positive Influence of Chronic Exercise on Blood Lipids

• Published in: Clinical exercise physiology 2002-05, Vol.4 (2), p.91-95
• Main Authors: Dreyer, H C, Hawkins, SA, Schroeder, E T, Jaque, S V, Hyslop, D M, Wiswell, R A
• Format: Magazinearticle
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1520-8702

Purpose: Previous studies have shown an independent positive effect of endurance training and hormone replacement therapy on lipid profiles in women. Few studies have compared groups of chronic exercisers who are of similar body type but different in hormonal status. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on lipid profiles in female masters athletes. Method: Cross-sectional data was obtained on 46 women: premenopausal, postmenopausal, and postmenopausal on hormone replacement therapy. All subjects were tested for body composition (hydrostatic weighing), VO sub(2) max, and fasting blood lipid levels. Lifestyle histories were obtained by questionnaire. All data are reported as mean plus or minus standard error. Results: Subjects were similar in VO sub(2) max, blood pressure, body weight, and % body fat. Running histories for miles per week and total years of training were similar between groups. Total cholesterol (TC) levels for both groups of postmenopausal women were significantly greater than they were for premenopausal women (p = 0.04). There were no differences between groups for triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios. Conclusion: These findings suggest that chronic running with or without HRT is associated with elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Additionally, it appears that chronic running is sufficient to attenuate the negative impact of the gain in triglyceride levels typically seen following menopause despite the use of HRT. Finally, neither exercise nor exercise + HRT were sufficient to prevent the increase in TC levels in female chronic runners following menopause.