Impact of progressive resistance training on lipids and lipoproteins in adults: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract Objective Given the discrepant findings of progressive resistance training (PRT) on lipids and lipoproteins in adults, we used the meta-analytic approach to examine this issue. Methods Randomized controlled trials ≥ 4 weeks dealing with the effects of PRT on lipids and lipoproteins in adult humans ≥ 18 years of age and published between January 1, 1955 and July 12, 2007 were included. Primary outcomes included total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG). A random-effects model was used for analysis with data reported as means and 95% confidence intervals. Results Twenty-nine studies representing 1329 men and women (676 exercise, 653 control) were included. Statistically significant improvements were found for TC (− 5.5 mg/dl, − 9.4 to − 1.6), TC/HDL-C (− 0.5, − 0.9 to − 0.2), non-HDL-C (− 8.7 mg/dl, − 14.1 to − 3.3), LDL-C (− 6.1 mg/dl, − 11.2 to − 1.0) and TG (− 8.1 mg/dl, − 14.5 to − 1.8) but not HDL-C (0.7 mg/dl, − 1.2 to 2.6). Changes were equivalent to − 2.7%, 1.4%, − 11.6%, − 5.6%, − 4.6%, and − 6.4%, respectively, for TC, HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, non-HDL-C, LDL-C, and TG. Conclusions Progressive resistance training reduces TC, TC/HDL-C, non-HDL-C, LDL-C and TG in adults.