A comparison of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides. and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol in speed skaters, weightlifters and non-athletes

Summary

Venous plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured after a 12–16 h overnight fast in three groups of men with different physical training histories. The groups consisted of 11 untrained men (aged 19–25 years), 11 well-trained weightlifters (20–32 years), who had not trained aerobically for at least 6 months, and 11 candidates for an Olympic speed skating team (17–27 years), whose training was both endurance (aerobic) and anaerobic. Mean maximal oxygen uptakes for the groups were 47.7, 45.7, and 62.3 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ respectively. Groups were similar with respect to diet, smoking and alcohol consumption, but the nonathletes were fatter, the weightlifters older and the speed skaters lighter, than the others. There were no significant differences in total cholesterol or triglycerides between the groups. Mean HDL-C was similar in the non-athletes and weightlifters [about 47±7 (SD) mg·dl⁻¹], but was significantly higher (53.7±10.2 mg·dl⁻¹, p<0.05) in the speed skaters. It was not correlated significantly with maximal oxygen uptake or relative fat in any group or when all data were combined. The total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio was significantly higher in the weightlifters. The HDL-C values are compared with previously reported values for non-athletes and athletes, and it is concluded that extensive weight-training, in contrast to endurance training, does not increase venous plasma HDL-C. Further work is required to elucidate the biochemical basis of these observations.