The Impact of Serum Lipid Profile on Muscle Size in Male Jamaican Track and Field Athletes

Abstract

Background: Exercise causes a reduction of serum cholesterol, prevents cardiovascular disease and is a contributor to the muscle thickness. Objectives: The research examined the impact of Total Cholesterol (TC), High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels on muscle thickness at three muscle sites in well trained young adult male athletes. Methods: Nineteen (19) athletes and twenty seven (27) non-athletes who served as controls were selected for the study. Fasting serum lipid concentrations (HDL-C, LDL-C, TC and TG) and muscle thickness at three sites: the chest, abdomen and thigh were determined using ultrasound technology. Results: Results showed that TC and LDL-C levels are significantly higher in the non-athletic group. The HDL-C and TG levels however, were not significantly different between the groups. There was a significant negative correlation (P=0.01) between thickness of the thigh muscle and HDL-C concentration. The TC, LDL-C and TG concentrations had no significant association with the thickness of the muscles at any of the three sites assessed. Conclusions: The thickness of the muscles of the thigh in young non-athletic Jamaican males is associated with HDL-C concentration.