Does aerobic exercise have a beneficial effect on plasma lipid profile in young soccer players?
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TRENDS in Sport Sciences 2015;22(3)
ABSTRACT
Introduction. Aerobic training plays an important role in soccer and is designed to improve players’ cardiovascular health. Aim of Study. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a semi-long distance outdoor run on the lipid profile of soccer players. Material and Methods. Plasma activity of lipase (LP) and blood levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), lipoproteins cholesterol: HDL-C and LDL-C, were determined among sixteen (8 male and8 female) soccer players, before, immediately after the run, and at the beginning of recovery time (30 minutes after the run). Results. The semi-long distance outdoor run caused a 30% decrease in the TG level in both studied groups (p = 0.0019 and p = 0.0002, pre-exercise vs. post-exercise for males and females, respectively). Post-exercise changes in TC(p = 0.0121 and p = 0.0158, pre-exercise vs. post-exercise for males and females, respectively) were observed. The changes in HDL-C level (p = 0.0001 pre-exercise vs. post-exercise) in males and LDL-C level (p = 0.00003 pre-exercise vs. post-exercise) in female soccer players were also found. Additionally, there were no post-exercise changes in LP activity among the studied female players, however, a significant (p = 0.0119) post-exercise decrease in LP activity among the male players was found. Conclusions. Post-exercise changes in lipid profile and LP activity (at least among males) are markers of soccer players’ biochemical adaptation to the training process.