Effect of training on the serum lipid profile in able-bodied and spinal cord injured rugby players

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of rugby training on the serum lipid profile in able-bodied and wheelchair players. The following groups took part in the study: sedentary able-bodied men (Group M, n=10), inactive disabled men using wheelchairs (Group MW, n=10), semiprofessional rugby players (Group R, n=10), and wheelchair rugby players (Group RW, n=10). The serum triacyloglycerols (TG), the total cholesterol (TC), the LDL cholesterol (LDLchol) and the HDL cholesterol (HDLchol) concentrations were assayed. The total cholesterol and the LDL cholesterol concentrations were higher in able-bodied sedentary men compared to non-disable rugby players. There was also a tendency to higher HDL cholesterol concentration in rugby players compared to sedentary men (Group R vs. M). Rugby training resulted in a significant decrease of the LDL cholesterol and an increase in the HDL cholesterol concentration, as well as a tendency for lower total cholesterol levels in wheelchair players compared to sedentary tetraplegic men. The ratio of the total cholesterol to the HDL cholesterol was significantly lower in both groups of rugby players in comparison to the respective groups of sedentary men. The serum triacyloglycerols (TG) concentration was similar in all studied groups. There was no difference in the serum lipid profile and the TC/HDLchol ratio between sedentary able-bodied and disabled men (Group M vs. MW), just as between non-disabled and wheelchair rugby players (R vs. RW). It seems that rugby training had a beneficial effect on the serum lipid profile in able-bodied as well as wheelchair players. These results confirm that active persons are at lower risk of cardiovascular diseases