OBJECTIVE: Different studies have demonstrated that regular exercise can induce changes in the lipid profile, but results remain inconclusive. Available data suggest that correction of vitamin D deficiency can improve the lipid profile. In this study, we have hypothesized that Nordic walking training will improve lipid profile in elderly women supplemented with vitamin D. METHODS: A total of 109 elderly women (68 +/- 5.12 years old) took part in the study. First group (experimental group (EG): 35 women) underwent 12 weeks of Nordic walking (NW) training combined with vitamin D supplementation (4,000 IU/day), second group (supplementation group (SG): 48 women) was only supplemented with vitamin D (4,000 IU/day), and third group (control group (CG): 31 women) was not subject to any interventions. Blood analysis of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and 25-OH-D3 was performed at baseline and after the 12 weeks of NW training. Additionally, a battery of field tests specifically developed for older adults was used to assess the components of functional fitness. The same blood analysis was repeated for the EG 6 months after the main experiment. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of NW training and vitamin D supplementation, in the EG a decrease in TC, LDL-C, and TG was observed. In the SG, no changes in the lipid profile were observed, whereas in the CG an increase in the HDL-C level was noticed. Positive physical fitness changes were only observed in the EG. CONCLUSION: Our obtained data confirmed baseline assumption that regular exercise induces positive alternations in lipid profile in elderly women supported by supplementation of vitamin D.

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