Oxidised low-density lipoprotein concentrations and physical activity status in older adults: The WASEDA active life study

Aim: Oxidised low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered a risk marker for cardiovascular disease. However, it remains unclear whether oxidised LDL concentrations differ with the physical activity status in older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the amount of physical activity and oxidised LDL in older adults. Methods: Twenty-seven older adults (aged 69.9 ± 4.3 years, mean ± SD.; 16 female and 11 male) were analysed in the cross-sectional design. Prior to blood collection, participants were asked to wear an uniaxial accelerometer for 4 consecutive weeks to determine the physical activity status. After a 48-h period of physical activity avoidance and a 10-h overnight fast, fasting venous blood samples were obtained from each participant. Results: Fasting plasma oxidised LDL concentrations and plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein- 1 concentrations were negatively correlated with the amount of physical activity (r = -0.409, p = 0.034; r = -0.385, p = 0.047, respectively). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that regular physical activity may play a protective role in the oxidation of LDL in older adults.