Low, Medium, and High Intensity Training Effects on LDL-C Levels in Amateur Football Players

High level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of the primary risks of cardiovascular disease, and exercise training is known as one of the effective non-pharmacological interventions of lipid management. Nevertheless, the best exercise intensity that increases LDL-C is optimally described. This research sought to evaluate the impact of low, medium and high intensity exercise training on LDL-c levels in amateur football players and also analyse the dose response relationship among the different exercise intensities of reduction of LDL-c magnitude. The pre-test post-test experimental design was used and there were 80 male amateur football athletes aged between 18-25 years and its randomly divided into four groups namely Low Intensity, Medium Intensity, High Intensity Training Group and Control Group. All experimental groups experienced a 12 week training intervention where four sessions were held weekly and the intensity was constantly monitored through heart rate telemetry. The baseline and post-intervention levels of LDL-C were measured. The homogeneity of the groups was proved at the baseline before the intervention. After 12 weeks of the training programme, statistical differences of LDL-C were found in all three experimental groups, with the intensity of improvement increasing gradually with intensity of exercise. The highest intensity training group had the most significant reduction followed by the medium and low intensity groups respectively. On the contrary, the control group showed not meaningful variations in LDL-C levels during the study, which proved that lipid levels did not change in the absence of the exercise intervention. This paper develops an effective dose-response relationship, such that the greater the intensity of exercise, the greater the benefits of the same. All three training intensities were useful in lowering LDL-C and the stability of the control group confirms that the changes could be attributed to the exercise programmes. The findings give empirical data on the maximisation of exercise prescription guidelines in the management of lipid profiles