Abstract
The effects of physical exercise on the concentrations of serum lipoproteins and apolipoprotein, particularly on the composition of high-density lipoprotein, were investigated in this study. Our subjects consisted of 9 weightlifters (mean age 21 years), 12 endurance runners (mean age 21 years), and 10 age-matched untrained students as a control group.
Apolipoprotein levels were measured by a single radial immunodiffusion method. Endurance runners showed lower LDL cholesterol values (80mg/dl) and higher level of HDL cholesterol (73mg/dl) than did the control group (107, 46mg/dl respectively). We found no differences in serum HDL cholesterol levels between weightlifters (45mg/dl) and the control group. Serum apoprotein A-I concentrations and the Apo A-I/A-II ratio were higher in top athletes than in untrained men.
Our results show that vigorous physical exercise may influence serum lipid and apoprotein levels independently.
