EFFECT OF CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TRAINING ON BLOOD BIOMARKERS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK IN OLDER WOMEN

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of circuit resistance training (CRT) on blood biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk in older women. Nineteen physically independent older women (≥ 60 years) were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: control (CG n = 9) and CRT (n = 10). The CRT performed a resistance exercise program for 12 weeks, with 10 exercises. Anthropometry, total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), glucose were measured. Main effect of time (p < 0.05) was observed for total cholesterol (-9.9%), LDL-c (-16.1%), VLDL-c (-15.9%) and HDL-c (+10.2%) in the CRT. The composite Z-score was reduced for the CRT group but not for CG. It was concluded that CRT can be effective for enhancing some blood biomarkers of CVD risk. In addition, the decrease in composite Z-score suggests that CRT can reduce cardiovascular disease risk in older women.