Resistive training can reduce coronary risk factors without altering vo_2max or percent body fat

Eleven healthy, untrained males (age = 44 ± 1 yr, range = 40 to 55 yr) were studied to determine the effects of 16 wk of high-intensity resistive training on risk factors for coronapr artery disease. Lipoprotein-lipid profiles, plasma glucose and insulin responses during an oral glucose tolerance test, and blood pressure at rest were determined before and after training. The training program resulted in a 13% increase in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (39 ± 2 vs 44 ± 3 mg-dl^-1, P < 0.05), a 43% increase in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol² (7 ± 2 vs 10 ± 2 mg-dl ', P < 0.05), a 5% reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (129 ± 5 vs 122 ± 5 mg-dl^-1. P< 0.05), and an 8% decrease in the total cholesterol/high- density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio (5.1 ± 0.3 vs 4.7 ± 0.3, P < 0.01), despite no changes in VO_m», body weight, or percent body fat. Glucose-stimulated plasma insulin concentrations during oral glucose tolerance testing were significantly lower, and supine diastolic blood pressure was reduced (P < 0.05) as a result of the training program. No changes in any of these variables occurred in a sedentary control group. These findings indicate that resistive training can lower risk factors for coronary artery disease independent of changes in, VO_max body weight, or body composition.