Influence of sport participation on blood lipids and lipoproteins in competitive female athletes

Abstract

Cross‐sectional data on 67 competitive female athletes representing seven Division I sports were examined for serum lipids and lipoproteins, body composition, and dietary intake as well as a control group consisting of demographically similar yet inactive women. Sports included cross‐country, gymnastics, swimming, basketball, volleyball, golf, and tennis. Results indicated that all groups were similar for age, height, and weight. Of the athletes, only the gymnasts and cross‐country runners had a significantly lower group mean percent body fat (p ≤ 0.05) than the control group. Analysis of variance indicated a significant group mean difference in serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) concentration (p ≤ 0.05) between a female group athlete and control group subject. Each of the athletic groups had a significantly higher serum HDL‐C concentration than the control group. When the athletic groups were compared, the group mean cross‐country runners' serum HDL‐C concentration was significantly highe...