A comparison of the blood lipid profiles of professional sportspersons and controls

Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL- C/TC levels are important in determining the risk of coronary heart disease. The serum lipids and lipoprotein levels of regularly training sportspersons and non-sporting controls were determined and compared with each other to investigate the effects of exercise and sex on these factors. HDL-C levels of male and female training groups were higher than those of corresponding non- sporting groups (respectively P<0.01, P<0.001). The sportswomen's HDL-C levels were higher (P<0.05); and TC, TG, and LDL-C levels were lower (P<0.001) than those of sportsmen's levels. The non-sporting women's TC and TG levels were lower than those of non-sporting men's levels (P<0.001). HDL- C/TC ratio of active females was higher than that of control females (P<0.01). The corresponding difference in males was also significant. We conclude that physical activity and sex have effects on risk factors for cardiovascular disease