Serum triglycerides and cholesterol and serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in highly physically active men.

The influence of extensive physical activity upon plasma lipids, in particular HDL cholesterol, was investigated. The material consisted of 23 regularly training men (mean age 44 years, average exercise 83 km running or skiing weekly), 15 healthy men (mean age 47 years), 10 young men (mean age 22 years), 12 healthy women (mean age 32 years) and 18 hyperlipidaemic patients. The exercise increased serum HDL cholesterol and FFA concentrations and decreased triglyceride levels significantly, but had no significant effect upon serum cholesterol concentration. There was a positive correlation between the amount of weekly exercise in km and plasma HDL cholesterol concentration. Exercising more than 70 km/week increased plasma HDL concentration clearly above the normal level. The advantages of an increase in plasma HDL cholesterol are discussed.