Related Experiment Videos
Blood lipids in young distance runners
J C Eisenmann1, C J Womack, M J Reeves
1Pediatric Health and Performance Laboratory, Division of Kinesiology and Health, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82070, USA. eisenman@uwyo.edu
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|October 3, 2001
Summary
Blood lipid levels in young athletes show age and sex variations, with total cholesterol and LDL-C remaining stable, HDL-C declining, and triglycerides increasing with age. These trends are similar to the general population, with some exceptions in HDL-C levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sports Medicine
- Cardiovascular Health
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Understanding blood lipid development is crucial for assessing cardiovascular risk in young individuals.
- Athletes, particularly endurance runners, may exhibit distinct physiological adaptations affecting lipid profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age- and sex-associated changes in blood lipid profiles of young competitive distance runners.
- To compare the blood lipid development in young athletes with the general youth population.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-longitudinal study design tracked 27 male and 27 female distance runners (aged 9-18) from 1982-1985.
- Annual measurements of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides (TG) were collected and analyzed.
- Statistical analysis examined age- and sex-related trends and compared findings to population reference medians.
Main Results:
- Total cholesterol and LDL-C remained stable with age, while HDL-C declined and TG increased, particularly in male subjects.
- HDL-C levels were similar between sexes until age 13, after which girls showed higher values.
- Young runners generally had higher TC and HDL-C (in younger groups) compared to reference medians, but HDL-C declined with age, especially in males.
Conclusions:
- Blood lipid development in young distance runners largely mirrors that of the general youth population.
- Unlike adult endurance athletes, young runners do not consistently exhibit a superior blood lipid profile, with HDL-C being an exception in younger age groups.