The role of exercise training on lipoprotein profiles in adolescent males

Abstract

Background: Major cardiovascular disorders are being recognized earlier in life. In this study we examined the effects of swimming and soccer training on male adolescent lipid-lipoprotein profiles relative to a maturity matched control group to determine the effects of these exercises on specific cardiovascular risk and anti-risk factors.

Methods: Forty five adolescent males (11.81 ± 1.38 yr) including swimmers (SW), soccer players (SO), and non-athlete, physically active individuals as controls (C), participated in this study. Training groups completed 12-wk exercise programs on three non-consecutive days per week. Plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), apolipoprotein B (apoB), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured in control, pre-training, during-training, and post-training.

Results: In response to the 12-wk training period, the SO group demonstrated a decrease in the mean LDL level compared to the SW and C (SW: 0.15%; SO: -9.51%; C: 19.59%; p < 0.001) groups. There was an increase in both the SW and SO groups vs. the control in mean HDL (SW: 5.66%; SO: 3.07%; C: -7.21%; p < 0.05) and apoA-I (SW: 3.86%; SO: 5.48%; C: -1.01%; p < 0.05). ApoB was considerably lower in the training groups vs. control (SW: -9.52%; SO: -13.87%; C: 21.09%; p < 0.05). ApoA-I/apoB ratio was significantly higher in training groups vs. control (SW: 16.74%; SO: 23.71%; C: -17.35%; p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for other factors.

Conclusions: The favorable alterations in LDL, HDL, apoA-I, and apoB observed in the training groups suggest that both regular swimming or soccer exercise can potentially mitigate cardiovascular risk in adolescent males.

Figure 1

Variation in LDL and HDL levels among the three experimental groups. Averaged data (±SD) showing % change in LDL (A) and HDL (B) levels from baseline (0 weeks) in the control, swimming, and soccer training groups. *Significant difference between the training groups and control (p < 0.05). ††Significant difference from baseline within a group (p < 0.01).

Figure 2

Percent change in apoA-I, apoB, and apoA-I/apoB ratio among the three experimental groups. Summarized mean data (±SD) demonstrating % change in apoA-I (A) and apoB (B) levels from baseline (0 weeks) in the control, swimming, and soccer training groups. (C) The % change from baseline of the apoA-I/apoB ratio. *Significant difference between the training groups and control (p < 0.05). ††Significant difference from baseline within a group (p < 0.01).