Increase in skeletal muscle lipoprotein lipase following endurance training in man

The effect of regular physical training on skeletal muscle lipoprotein lipase activity (LPLA) was investigated in 16 healthy men of normal body weight. They trained on cycle ergometers for 8 weeks. During the training period half the group were given the beta-adrenergic receptor blocker propanolol (160 mg/day) and the other half placebo tablets. Muscle tissue samples were taken before the training period and 4 days after the last training session and drug intake to ensure that there were no acute effects of either training or drug treatment. The maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2max, 1/min) increased by 8% with training. LPLA increased by 47% and 31% in the placebo and beta-blockade group, respectively. Capillary density increased by 19% and 17%. The statistical analysis revealed a significant effect of training but not of beta-blockade on these changes. The present longitudinal training study in healthy men confirms the results of cross-sectional studies showing higher muscle LPLA in well-trained than in sedentary men.