Serum lipids in soccer and ice-hockey players

The concentrations of serum cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and free fatty acids of Finnish top-class football and ice-hockey players were determined during different training programs and the results were compared with those of a control group. The serum levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol were increased to those football players having more aerobic exercise in their training program. The concentrations of HDL-cholesterol and the HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol ratio were lowest in the ice-hockey players, whose training is more anaerobic. There were no significant differences of serum triglyceride levels in different groups. The serum concentrations of fatty acids were highest in control group and lowest in ice-hockey and football teams during the active playing season. The differences of serum lipids seem thus to be in connection with the kinds of sport that differ in their energy metabolism requirements. This may be of importance when judging the benefit of exercise on the prophylaxis of atherosclerosis.