Serum lipoprotein lipids and haematological variables in veteran runners, before and after a 2100 km relay run

Plasma lipids and lipoprotein lipids, body characteristics, serum insulin concentration, distance run during training and haematological variables were determined in nine men aged between 62 and 72 years and who were regular runners. Multiple regression analysis showed that much of the variation in HDL cholesterol levels was explained by plasma triglycerides, and, to a lesser extent, by the distance run during training; although these variables contributed about equally to the variation in plasma HDL2 cholesterol levels. The effects on measured variables of a 2100 km relay, run over a 17-day period, were also studied. During the relay the men were running an average 20% further, per week, than during their training before the relay. Plasma LDL cholesterol concentration, red blood cell volume, red cell count and haemoglobin levels fell significantly during the relay, and in three men raised serum insulin levels were reduced to within the normal range. Reticulocyte counts were not raised after the relay which suggests that the anaemia, seen in these men, was not due to erythrocyte destruction. The results indicate that in elderly runner, plasma triglycerides are an important predictor of plasma HDL cholesterol levels.