J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2025 Dec;45:870-877. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.10.013. Epub 2025 Oct 20.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The transition to menopause contributes to higher postprandial lipemia (LLP) and risk of cardiovascular disease. While acute physical exercise can mitigate these risks, the optimal intensity remains a subject of debate.
OBJECTIVE: compare the subacute effects of high- and moderate-intensity interval exercise on LLP of postmenopausal women fed a high-fat meal.
METHODS: eleven sedentary and post-menopausal women aged 56.7 ± 4 years participated in the study. On day 1, the participants randomly performed one of the three protocols, high intensity interval exercise (HIIT), moderate intensity interval exercise (MIIT) and Control (REST). On day 2 after a 12h fast, a basal blood sample was collected and the participants consumed a high-fat meal (HFM). After HFM, collections were performed for analysis of triglycerides (TG), Cholesterol (CHO), High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the interval from 1 to 5h.
RESULTS: HIIT was more effective than REST protocol in reducing TG at times 1h (38.6 %; p = 0.05), 3h (35.3 %; p = 0,004) and 4h (27.9 %; p = 0.05) but showed no difference compared to MIIT. Analyzing the incremental area under the curve (iAUC), HIIT and MIIT reduced TG (28.2 % and 39 %; p < 0.05) compared to REST protocol respectively. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and average heart rate (HR) during HIIT were higher than during MIIT (26.5 %; p = 0.001 and 38.4 %; p = 0.001) respectively.
CONCLUSION: Both the HIIT and MIIT exercise protocols were effective in reducing postprandial TG levels. However, MIIT showed lower RPE and HR than HIIT, and no differences were found in CHO, HDL, and LDL.
PMID:41316663 | DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.10.013