Revista Europea de Biología Experimental Acceso abierto

Abstracto

Comparison of physical fitness and lipid profile in active and inactive middle-aged men

Behroz Haghpanah, Asghar Nikseresht and Ebrahim Khoshnam

The purpose of this study was to compare physical fitness (Vo_2max, endurance, power, agility and flexibility) and lipid profile (triglycerides, cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, and HDL) in active and inactive middle-aged men. 30 male volunteers who aged 40-60 years were assigned in active (n=15) and inactive (n=15) groups. Subjects of the active group participated continuously in at least one to three sessions of physical activity per week over the past 10 years, while subjects in inactive group had no specific exercises. Data Analysis was performed using independent t-test statistical method. Significance level of the test was considered P≤0.05.Research results showed significant differences in Vo_2max, endurance, power, agility and flexibility between the active and inactive groups (p=0.0001), but no significant differences were observed between the two groups in lipid profile levels(p>0.05).Lack of significant differences in lipid profile seems to be the result of active group's high-calorie and high-fat diets compared to the inactive group's low-fat and low-calorie diet, and participating in at least one session of physical activity per week increases physical fitness and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.