Telomere Length, Lipid Profile and Body Composition of Master Sprinters and Endurance Runners

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that middle-aged Master Athletes have better body composition and lipid profile, as well as longer leukocyte telomeres compared to untrained peers. However, no comparisons were made with markers of biological aging, body composition, and metabolic health among athletes who performed different training regimens through life (ie, sprint / strength vs. resistance training). PURPOSE: The telomere length, lipid profile and body composition were compared in sprinters and endurance runners from Master category. METHODS: Middle-aged master athletes (n=23) with a minimal of 20 yrs of lifelong training in Track and Field were allocated according to their training specificity, being Sprinters (n=12; 49.41±9.10 yr-old) and Endurance Runners (n=11; 55.45±7.84 yr-old). Blood samples were collected after 8-hour fasting. Relative leucocyte telomere length was determined with qPCR analyses (T/S). The serum lipid profile was analyzed using commercial kits and body composition was predicted though skinfold measures. RESULTS: Unpaired T-test revealed no differences between Sprinters vs Endurance athletes regarding to Leucocyte Telomere Length (T/S) [1.26 ± 1.01 vs. 1.11 ± 1.13 (p=0.732)], Body Fat (%) [12.32±4.51 vs.13.29± 4.49 (p=0.612)], Free Fat Mass (kg) [87.68±4.51 vs.86.70 ±4.49 (p=0.612)], and lipid profile (mg.dL-1) through Triglycerides [79.04 ±51.28 vs. 120.20 ± 75.81 (p=0.139)], HDL [93.21 ± 28.66 vs. 70.41 ± 38.06 (p=0.116)], LDL [83.53 ± 76.34 vs. 125.59 ± 58.18 (p=0.155)] and Total Cholesterol [192.56 ±72.85 vs. 220.04 ± 29.02 (p=0.256)]. CONCLUSION: For master athletes, regarding of whether they were trained lifelong in sprints or endurance, both training models reveled to be similar for the leucocyte telomere length and equally beneficial for lipids profile and body composition.