Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Fiber Type and Subcellular-Specific Analysis of Lipid Droplet Content in Skeletal Muscle
Published on: June 8, 2022
Favorable and prolonged changes in blood lipid profile after muscle-damaging exercise
Michalis G Nikolaidis1, Vassilis Paschalis, Giannis Giakas
1Institute of Human Performance and Rehabilitation, Center for Research and Technology-Thessaly, Trikala, Greece. mnikol@cereteth.gr
Purpose:
To examine the effect of repeated muscle-damaging exercise on the time-course changes in blood lipid and lipoprotein profile and compare them with changes in indices of muscle function and damage.
Methods:
Twelve women underwent an isokinetic exercise session consisting of 75 eccentric knee flexions, which was repeated after 3 wk. Triacylglycerols (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) in plasma were measured before, immediately, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 d after muscle-damaging exercise. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) and TC/HDLC were also calculated.
Results:
The largest changes in TG and lipoproteins appeared 3 d after exercise, returning toward baseline thereafter. The magnitudes of these changes at 3 d compared with rest were -18% and -8% for TG, -14% and -10% for TC, 8% and 7% for HDLC, -25% and -18% for LDLC, and -20% and -15% for TC/HDLC after sessions 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, the incremental or decremental area under the curve for the TG and lipoproteins measured after the first session was higher than that after the second session--except for HDLC concentration.
Conclusion:
These findings reveal that lipid and lipoprotein profile was favorably affected by both sessions of muscle-damaging exercise but relatively less so after a repeated session of muscle-damaging exercise.
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Overview of Lipid Metabolism
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
