## 4 Discussion
### Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Index  
Although ANCOVA revealed no significant differences in the total cholesterol levels between the groups after the intervention, a trend towards a reduction was observed in both the groups. This trend suggests that low-volume RT intervention may have a potentially beneficial effect on the total cholesterol levels, which could be confirmed in studies with larger samples or longer duration. There was a significant increase in the serum HDL cholesterol levels and a reduction in the atherogenic index after the 8-week training period relative to the pre-intervention values. These findings suggest that even low-volume RT interventions can induce beneficial effects on lipid metabolism. These changes are clinically relevant since HDL is known to protect the cardiovascular system by facilitating reverse cholesterol transport and modulating inflammatory activity in the vascular endothelium [45]. These effects are especially important in the older population, where preserving cardiovascular health and mitigating inflammatory processes are the key to reducing the atherosclerotic risk and promoting healthy aging [46]. Our findings align with those of other studies published in the literature, which have also reported improvements in lipid parameters following RT interventions, even with low-volume protocols [12; 47]. For instance, a randomized controlled trial demonstrated that RT improved the lipid profiles in obese older women following a 12-week intervention [48]. Similarly, the meta-analysis of various exercise modalities demonstrated significant improvements in lipid profiles among older populations following RT exercise (8 and 10 weeks) [49]. Furthermore, another study found that even a low-volume RT protocol effectively reduced cardiovascular risk factors in untrained older women, emphasizing the potential benefits of RT interventions, even with low-volume approaches, over a 6-month period [50].  
Surprisingly, a reduction in the atherogenic index was also observed in the CON group, raising important questions about the specificity of the intervention's effects. This finding raises a significant concern regarding the potential influence of confounding variables in the present study. Although the CON group did not participate in structured training, spontaneous alterations in daily routines, such as modest increases in informal physical activity (e.g., walking within the facility), unmonitored dietary modifications (including changes in nutrient and caloric intake or meal timing), and adjustments in medication regimens (e.g., the initiation or dosage adjustments of lipid-lowering drugs), may have contributed to the unexpected reduction in the atherogenic index, thereby limiting the interpretation and generalization of the results. Moreover, the small sample size may amplify the effects of individual variability, potentially magnifying the impact of isolated changes within the group. Informal reports from staff indicated that at least one participant underwent medication adjustments during the study period. Future studies should incorporate systematic and objective monitoring methods, such as detailed dietary records, accelerometry for physical activity assessment, and comprehensive medication logs, to better control for potential confounding variables. However, it should be noted that implementing such protocols for older populations with cognitive impairment may be particularly challenging, requiring a high level of involvement and sustained commitment from residential institutions, caregivers, and health professionals. Therefore, the design of training protocols must strike a balance between the need for controlled conditions and the feasibility of executing the protocol in real-world environments.