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Int J Sports Med 1999; 20(7): 464-469
DOI: 10.1055/s-1999-8833
Physiology and Biochemistry
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

Association of Physical Fitness With LDL and HDL Subfractions in Young Healthy Men

 M. Halle,  A. Berg,  M. W. Baumstark,  J. Keul
  • Centre for Internal Medicine, Department of Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Sports Medicine, Freiburg University Hospital, Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 1999 (online)

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A dyslipoproteinemia of increased concentrations of small, dense LDL particles and reduced HDL2 cholesterol has shown to be associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). In contrast, an increase in physical fitness and a reduction of body mass index (BMI) improve the lipoprotein profile and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events. The association of physical exercise, physical fitness, and body weight with an atherogenic lipoprotein subfraction profile has been investigated before in obese subjects, but the relationship is unknown in a healthy non-obese population without insulin resistance or CHD. Therefore, a detailed lipoprotein subfraction profile of 3 HDL and 6 LDL subfractions was determined in 125 healthy men (26 ± 5 years). Physical fitness (maximal oxygen consumption, V˙O2max) was assessed by ergometry and physical activity by questionnaire. Those men with the lowest physical fitness (V˙O2max < 40 ml/kg/min) and the lowest physical activity score had a significantly less favourable lipoprotein subfraction profile of increased concentration of small, dense LDL particles (d: > 1.044 g/ml) and reduced HDL2a cholesterol than those with a V˙O2max > 50 ml/kg/min. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that concentrations of small, dense LDL particles were primarily determined by BMI whereas HDL2a cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I were primarily determined by physical fitness. These findings underline the relationship between a good physical fitness, a low body weight, and a favourable lipoprotein subfraction profile even in a healthy young male population.

Key words:

Coronary risk factors - atherosclerosis - LDL subfractions - insulin resistance syndrome

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Dr. PD Martin Halle

Medizinische Universitätsklinik Abt. Prävention, Rehabilitation und Sportmedizin

Hugstetter Straße 55

D-79106 Freiburg

Germany

Phone: +49 (761) 270 7461

Fax: +49 (761) 270 7470

Email: mh@msm1.ukl.uni-freiburg.de