Effects of Three Months of Moderate-to-Vigorous Aerobic Exercise on Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Indices in Premenopausal Female Students
Chidiadi M. Njoku
Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Samuel C. Meludu
Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria.
Nosakhare O. Osakue *
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria.
Joy I. Onuora
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Nigeria.
Emeka C Izuchukwu
Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Mary C Egwu
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Federal University Wukari, Nigeria.
Chinonso J. Nnamdi
Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Joy C. Iwuji
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Regular aerobic exercise may improve lipid metabolism and cardiovascular risk markers, but information on its effects on calculated atherogenic indices among apparently healthy premenopausal university students is limited. This study assessed the effect of three months of supervised moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise on lipid profile and atherogenic indices in premenopausal female undergraduate students.
Methods: Eighty apparently healthy students aged 19–25 years were initially enrolled and randomly allocated to exercise and non-exercise groups. Participants in the exercise group performed supervised aerobic exercise for 30 minutes, five days per week, for three months; 30 participants in each group completed the study. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured by spectrophotometry. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), cardiac risk ratio (CRR), and atherogenic coefficient (AC) were calculated. Statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05.
Results: Compared with the non-exercise group, the exercise group showed significant reductions in TC, LDL-C, TG, AIP, CRR, and AC over the intervention period, while HDL-C increased significantly (p < 0.05). Baseline values were comparable between groups.
Conclusion: Three months of consistent moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise was associated with favourable changes in conventional lipid parameters and calculated atherogenic indices among apparently healthy premenopausal students, supporting a potential role for structured exercise in cardiovascular risk reduction.
Keywords: Aerobic exercise, atherogenic index of plasma, cardiac risk ratio, lipid profile, premenopausal women, cardiovascular risk