Effect of prolonged exercise on serum lipids and lipoproteins

Changes in the lipid profile of elite basketball and soccer players after a match

The lipid profile of elite basketball and soccer athletes was evaluated and compared with that of inactive individuals. Total cholesterol (T-C), low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C and HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) concentration were measured in the morning and after a soccer or a basketball match. All parameters of lipid profile measured at a fasted and resting state, except HDL-C, were lower in the athletes compared with the controls (p < 0.01). The soccer match resulted in a greater decrease in TG (78.3 ± 6.7 to 70.7 ± 6.3, p < 0.01), T-C (179.3 ± 10.7 to 171.6 ± 9.6, p < 0.01), LDL-C (110.9 ± 8.9 to 103.5 ± 7.5, p < 0.01) compared with the basketball match that resulted only in a decrease in LDL-C (126.8 ± 9.5 to 117.3 ± 9.1, p < 0.01) and an increase in HDL-C that was similar to that observed after the soccer match (9-12%). These findings support the beneficial effects of basketball and soccer on cardiovascular health.

The effects of a classic Spartathlon race on lipids and prostanoids in endurance male athletes

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a classic Spartathlon race, which means continuous running for 246 km, on the concentration of 2,3 dinor 6-keto-prostaglandin (2, 3 dinor 6-keto PGF1a), the urinary metabolite of the prostacyclin (PGI2), 2, 3-dinor-thromboxane B2 (2, 3 dinor TXB2), the urinary metabolite of thromboxane A2 (TXB2), the 2, 3 dinor 6-keto-PGF 1a:2, 3 dinor-TXB2 ratio, Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low-Density Lipoprotein-L (LDL-L) and the TC: HDL-C ratio. It was hypothesized that these parameters would be changed after the completion of the Sparthathlon. For this study proposes blood and urine samples were obtained from 19 male athletes, all of which finished the Spartathlon race in < 35 h, before, at the end of and 24 h after the race. After result analysis, the levels of all the substances measured were different at the end of the race compared with before the race and these altered levels remained 24 h after the race. Importantly, it was observed that metabolism of 2, 3 dinor-6 keto-PGF 1a at the end of the race was fourfold than before the race (p < 0.001) and the concentration of 2, 3 dinor TXB2 after the race was tenfold than before the race (p < 0.001).

Food habits and nutritional status assessment of adolescent soccer players. A necessary and accurate approach

The aim of this study was to assess the food habits and nutritional status of high level adolescent soccer players (N = 33; ages 14-16 yrs) living in their home environment. Body composition (height, mass, skinfolds), biochemical and hematological parameters, performance in soccer-specific tests (sprinting, jumping, intermittent endurance), and dietary intake (weighed food intake method) and related behaviors (nutrient supplement use, daily activity profile) were assessed. Daily energy expenditure and energy intake were 12.5 MJ and 12.6 MJ, respectively. Protein (16% of energy intake; 1.9 g/kg of body mass), lipid (38%), and cholesterol (385 mg) intake were above recommendations, while carbohydrates (45%) were below. The food intake of these adolescents was based on cereals and derivates; meat, fish, and eggs; milk and dairy products; biscuits and confectionery; and oil, butter and margarine, which provided 78% of total energy intake, 85% of proteins, 64% of carbohydrates, 90% of lipids, and 47% of fiber. Although diet provided sufficient iron, 48% of individuals showed iron deficiency without anemia. Based on these results, a well designed nutrition intervention would be advisable for optimizing performance, and especially for promoting healthy eating habits in adolescent soccer players.

Kinetics of lipids, apolipoproteins, and cholesteryl ester transfer protein in plasma after a bicycle marathon

The short-term effects of prolonged intense exercise on plasma lipid transport parameters including cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein (LD) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and its subfractions HDL2 cholesterol and HDL3 cholesterol, on apolipoproteins (apos) A-I, A-II, and B, and on mass and activity of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) were studied in eight male endurance-trained athletes over the first week after a bicycle marathon. CETP mass concentration in plasma was quantified by a newly developed immunoradiometric assay (IRMA). Plasma concentrations of cholesterol, TGs, LDL cholesterol, apo B, CETP, and cholesteryl ester transfer activity (CETA) were significantly reduced in the recovery period compared with pre-exercise values (cholesterol by 20%, P < .05; TGs by 63%, P < .05; LDL cholesterol by 32%, P < .05; apo B by 18%, P < .05; CETP mass by 29%, P < .05; and CETA by 14%, P < .05). HDL cholesterol and HDL2 cholesterol, in contrast, were significantly increased in the post-exercise period (HDL cholesterol by 12%, P < .05, and HDL2 cholesterol by 96%, P < .05), whereas HDL3 cholesterol showed a tendency to decrease in the late recovery period (by 8%, NS). Although changes in cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apo B, and CETP mass and activity were already evident in the early recovery period, HDL2 cholesterol showed a delayed response, reaching its maximum 72 hours after initiation of exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of weight-loss by exercise and by diet on apolipoproteins A-I and A-II and the particle-size distribution of high-density lipoproteins in men

We studied separately the effects of weight-loss by dieting or by running on apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, apo A-II, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions in sedentary, moderately overweight men assigned at random into three groups: exercise without calorie restriction, calorie restriction without exercise, and control. The absorbance of protein-stained polyacrylamide gradient gels was used as an index of mass concentrations for five HDL subclasses that have been identified by their particle sizes: HDL3c (7.2 to 7.8 nm), HDL3b (7.8 to 8.2 nm), HDL3a (8.2 to 8.8 nm), HDL2a (8.8 to 9.7 nm), and HDL2b (9.7 to 12.9 nm). During the 1-year trial, the exercisers ran (mean +/- SD) 15.6 +/- 9.1 km/wk, and the dieters reported eating 340 +/- 71 fewer calories per day than at baseline. Total body weight and fat weight were both reduced significantly more in dieters (-7.2 +/- 4.1 and -6.2 +/- 4.1 kg, respectively) and in exercisers (-4.0 +/- 3.9 and -4.6 +/- 3.5 kg) than in controls (0.6 +/- 3.7 and -0.7 +/- 2.7 kg). As compared with mean changes in controls, exercisers and dieters each decreased HDL3b and increased HDL2b. Exercisers also significantly increased plasma apo A-I concentrations. Analysis of covariance was used to statistically adjust the mean lipoprotein changes for the effects of weight-loss. The adjustment eliminated the significant reductions in HDL3b and the significant increases in HDL2b in exercisers and dieters, and it eliminated the significant increase in apo A-I in exercisers. When adjusted, the dieters' mean changes in HDL2b had significantly decreased relative to those of both exercisers and controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes in lipoprotein profiles during intense military training

The effects of intense military training on lipoprotein concentrations were monitored in a group of 44 Navy trainees. Dietary intakes and lipoprotein profiles were obtained before and after 5 weeks of physical conditioning and after 5 days of continuous, extremely intense physical and psychological stress. Body weight did not change significantly and dietary intakes were consistently high in saturated fat and cholesterol. After physical conditioning, serum total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were unchanged, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations increased 31% (p less than 0.05). After 5 days of severe stress, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein concentrations decreased 17.2% and 30%, respectively (p less than 0.05), whereas HDL concentrations increased 12.1%. These data indicate that marked changes in lipoprotein profiles occur, not only with long-term physical conditioning, but also with strenuous training that lasts several days, despite high energy, fat, and cholesterol intakes.

Plasma lipid concentrations in college students performing self-selected exercise

Plasma cholesterol and other blood lipids were determined in 64 college juniors and seniors during January and February 1989 (before exercise) and again during April and May 1989 (after exercise). A 14-week period of self-selected exercise was interposed between the before and after exercise cholesterol determinations. Cholesterol concentrations ranged from 127-273 mg/dl (before exercise) to 131-261 mg/dl (after exercise) in this group of students who were 22 +/- 1 years of age. There were no statistically significant differences in cholesterol concentrations between the genders. Students could be further subdivided into groups with low (144 +/- 3 mg/dl, n = 12), medium (176 +/- 6 mg/dl, n = 35), and high (224 +/- 6 mg/dl, n = 17) concentrations of cholesterol. Only students in the high cholesterol group experienced a significant reduction in total cholesterol and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol after 14 weeks of exercise. High-density-lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in women than in men in both the medium and high cholesterol subgroups before and after exercise. From these results it appears that a significant fraction of the young adult college population could be at increased risk of coronary heart disease because of inappropriately high concentrations of cholesterol. Moreover, self-selected exercise, if engaged in regularly, can reduce blood cholesterol significantly in students with high cholesterol concentrations.

Lipid profile in trained subjects undergoing complete food deprivation combined with prolonged intermittent exercise

Sixteen male subjects [18-21 years, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) = 59.2 ml.kg-1.min-1 +/- SEM 5.6] participated in a study to evaluate the effect of prolonged, complete food deprivation combined with physical effort, on plasma lipoprotein concentrations. The subjects were deprived of food for 81 h but were supplied with water: they walked for 10 h a day at 40% of VO2max, covering a total of 105 km. During this period the subjects' average mass decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) reflecting a marked catabolic process. Plasma concentration of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol [( LDL-C]) and triglycerides were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) and total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [( HDL-C]), and free fatty acid levels were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) at the end of the experimental period compared to the start. The ratio between plasma [HDL-C] to plasma [LDL-C] increased from 0.51 to 0.89 at the end of the exercise period, reflecting a marked anti-atherogenic effect. All changes were transient and reversible within 12 days of recovery.

Plasma-triglycerides and exercise: a delicate balance

Alimentary lipemia was studied in 12 healthy young men with and without exercise. Three sets of experiments were performed. While continuous exercise of 90 min duration significantly reduced postprandial triglycerides by 26% (study I), this effect could not be observed when exercise was interrupted for 5 min after each 25 min (study II). Plasma free fatty acid concentrations, in the latter experiment, were significantly higher (by 311%) than during rest. When, in a third experiment continuous exercise was compared with intermittent physical activity, the latter condition significantly increased postprandial triglyceridemia, most probably due to precipitous rises of free fatty acids on each interruption of ergometry. It is concluded that in the third experiment the balance between triglyceride removal and triglyceride synthesis was shifted toward the latter. Whether exercise lowers, leaves unaltered, or raises plasma triglyceride levels may depend on subtle changes of experimental design.

Mitigation of alimentary lipemia by postprandial exercise--phenomena and mechanisms

The effects of a single bout of exercise at 40% of maximum aerobic capacity with regard to alimentary lipemia and postprandial lipoproteins was studied in a cross-over design in 12 young healthy male volunteers. In addition to lipids and lipoproteins, lipoprotein lipase, free glycerol, free fatty acids, plasma insulin, and C-peptide concentrations were quantitated. Postprandial exercise reduced alimentary lipemia by 34% while lipoprotein lipase activity rose by 42%. The postprandial fall of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)3 was abolished and the rise of HDL2 accentuated. Free glycerol and free fatty acid concentrations were higher following the meal plus exercise regimen compared to the meal alone. It is concluded that at least part of the chronic effect of exercise may come from additive effects such as observed from individual bouts of muscular activity.

Altered Serum Lipoprotein Profiles in Male and Female Power Lifters Ingesting Anabolic Steroids

In brief: Serum lipoprotein profiles were measured in nine male and three female power lifters who were taking anabolic steroids. Male steroid users had higher total serum cholesterol, lower HDL-C, and lower HDL-apoprotein A-I (apoA-I) levels than a weight-trained reference group that did not use steroids. Female steroid users showed similar trends. Mean serum HDL-C and HDL-C to total cholesterol ratio were lower in male steroid users than in a young male South African population at high risk for atherosclerosis. The ratio of HDL3-C to total HDL-C was higher in steroid users than in the reference group. Ratios of apoA-I to apoA-II were similar in the two groups. These unfavorable lipid profiles suggest that male and female steroid users may face an increased risk of coronary artery disease.