A meta-analysis finds that duration of aerobic exercise, but not frequency or intensity, is associated with change in HDL levels.
We routinely advise patients to increase aerobic exercise as a means of raising HDL cholesterol levels. These researchers conducted a meta-analysis to assess the overall effect of aerobic exercise on HDL levels and to determine which properties of an exercise program have the greatest effect. A total of 35 trials, including about 1400 subjects (mean intervention period, 27 weeks), were included in the analysis.
After exercise training, HDL levels were a mean of 2.53 mg/dL higher in patients randomized to exercise than in controls — a significant difference. Duration of exercise was significantly associated with change in HDL: Increases in HDL were significant only beyond thresholds of 120 minutes per week for total duration and 30 minutes for individual sessions. More frequent exercise sessions (independent of total duration) and more strenuous exercise were not associated with increased HDL.
Comment: In this meta-analysis, aerobic exercise raised HDL cholesterol levels only modestly, and an exercise duration of less than 30 minutes per session failed to raise HDL. However, these results should not discourage exercise, which is associated with numerous benefits regardless of effect on lipids.
— Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
Published in Journal Watch General Medicine June 14, 2007
Kodama S et al. Effect of aerobic exercise training on serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: A meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med 2007 May 28; 167:999-1008.