Abstract

Background Physical inactivity is a global health concern, with one-third of adults worldwide not achieving recommended physical activity, particularly higher rates of inactivity among women. Insufficient physical activity contributes significantly to non-communicable diseases and is responsible for nearly 9% of global mortality. The current world health organization recommends that adults should perform 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75-150 vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week. Cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary artery disease being the most common, is one of the leading non-communicable diseases and are driven by atherosclerosis—a condition involving lipid accumulation and plaque formation in arterial walls. While the impact of regular physical activity on improved cardiovascular health is already well established, there is limited evidence regarding the acute effects of a single session of low-intensity aerobic exercise in physical inactive young healthy women. 

Method Fourteen women participated in 20 minutes treadmill aerobic intervention at 40-59% of their HRmax. Blood lipids were measured before and 10 minutes after the exercise intervention using capillary blood sampling and analyzed with CardioChek.

Result LDL was significantly reduced post-intervention, while changes in HDL and cholesterol were not statistically significantly different. No significant correlation was found between heart rate change and lipid profile changes.

Conclusion A single session of low-intensity aerobic exercise can reduce LDL in physically inactive young healthy women, while HDL and total cholesterol showed no significant change. The association between the heart rate change and blood lipids were considered weak and not significantly different.