Physical activity status and postprandial lipaemia in older adults

Physical activity-induced lowering of postprandial lipaemia is short-lived. However, little is known regarding the role of physical activity status on postprandial lipaemia. The purpose of the present study was to compare postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations in active and inactive older adults. A total of 26 older adults (aged 69.8±0.9 years, mean±SEM; 10 male and 16 female) were analysed in a cross-sectional design. Based on accelerometer data, participants were divided into either the active group (150min/week of moderate-intensity physical activity, n=15) or the inactive group (<150min/week of moderate-intensity physical activity, n=11). After a 48-h period of physical activity avoidance and a 10-h overnight fast, participants consumed a test meal of moderate fat content (35%). Capillary blood samples were collected in the fasted state and at 2, 4, and 6h postprandially. After adjusting for fasting triacylglycerol concentrations, body mass, body mass index and waist circumference, postprandial capillary triacylglycerol concentrations were significantly lower in the active than inactive group (P=0.046). These findings demonstrate that regular physical activity lowers postprandial lipaemia independent of the acute effects of physical activity in older adults.