The Effect of Resistance Exercise on Lipid Profile of Coronary Artery Disease Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND Increased level of blood lipids is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Considerable research has done to assess the effects of physical exercises on lipid profile, of which aerobic exercises are the main part of evidence. However, in recent years, resistance exercise has been less investigated. Thus, the present study investigates the effect of resistance exercise on lipid profile in coronary artery disease patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was a randomized clinical trial. Forty eligible participants were selected through selective sampling and were assigned randomly to either intervention or control groups (20 participants in each group). Fasting blood sample was taken for measurement of lipid profile before, after, and after 4 weeks of the end of intervention. The intervention period lasted 8 weeks and included two exercise sessions of 45-60 minutes per week. Resistance exercise was performed by use of light weights in the range of motion of the elbow, shoulder, and knee joints. The number of repetitions was initially 10 and was gradually increased to 15. Then, the weight was increased by 3-5% and the number of sets too. Data were analyzed on significant level of P < 0.05. RESULTS In both the groups, the mean and mean changes of lipid profile, before, after. and 4 weeks after the end of the intervention were not significantly different (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The 8-week of resistance exercise did not lead to a significant decrease in the mean lipid profile.