Public Health Article
Effects of exercise on high-density lipoprotein levels in middle-aged and older individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Review Quality Rating: 9 (strong)
Citation: Liang L, Peng F, Wang L, Lin C, & Chi H. (2025). Effects of exercise on high-density lipoprotein levels in middle-aged and older individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine, 104(6).
PubMed LinkOutAbstract
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of exercise on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in middle-aged and older individuals.
METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE, including meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of exercise on HDL-C levels in middle-aged and older individuals.
RESULTS: Forty-two trials were analyzed. We found that exercise had a significant effect on HDL cholesterol levels (standard mean difference [95% confidence interval] = 0.22 [0.09-0.35], Z = 3.28, P = .001, I2 = 54%), and the heterogeneity across the studies was significant and high. After subgroup analysis, we found that aerobic exercise had the most significant effect on the levels of HDLs in middle-aged and older individuals, which was better than that of other types of exercise.
CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic exercise significantly improves HDL levels in middle-aged and older individuals, but resistance and stretching exercises had no significant effect on HDL levels.
Keywords
Adults, Behaviour Modification, Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Disease, Food & Nutrition, Health Care Setting, Health Through the Ages, Home, Meta-analysis, Narrative Review, Older Adults, Physical Activity, Primary Health Care Provider Office (e.g., Public health nurse, dietitian, social worker), Senior Health
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