Exercise, smoking cessation, and short-term changes in serum lipids in women: A preliminary investigation

Purpose: This study investigated the combined effects of exercise and smoking cessation on serum lipids. Methods: Eighteen female smokers quit smoking using standard behavioral methods combined with exercise (N = 9) or with a nonexercise contact time control (N = 9). The smoking cessation program for both groups consisted of 12 weekly 1-h behavioral modification sessions held over 12 wk. Exercise training consisted of three supervised 45- min sessions per week for 12 wk. Contact control consisted of three health education lectures/discussions per week for 12 wk. Fitness (estimated V̇O₂ peak), dietary variables, and fasting serum lipids and lipoproteins were assessed before and at the end of treatment. V̇O₂ peak increased in the exercise subjects compared with the controls. Results: Total caloric intake as well as total fat and carbohydrate increased significantly after smoking cessation in the controls, but there were no dietary changes in the exercise group, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-C₂ increased (7.6 mg·dL^-1, P < 0.01) in the exercise group, whereas the increases in HDL and its subfractions did not attain statistical significance in the contact control group. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-C, and triglycerides did not change in either group. Conclusions: We conclude that exercise training magnifies the increase in HDL-C that usually occurs with smoking cessation.