Influence of maximum aerobic capacity and relative body weight on the lipoprotein profile in athletes.

The relationship between the individual maximum aerobic capacity (MAC) as well as the relative body weight (BW) and the corresponding lipoprotein profile was studied in male national-class athletes (n = 120, 18-36 years old). Using a stepwise regression analysis, it was shown that only the apoliprotein A-I and HDL cholesterol levels correlated primarily with the maximum aerobic capacity, whereas the serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, apo B and LDL cholesterol as well as the apo B/apo A-I ratio were significantly dependent on the relative body weight. Only the HDL/tot. cholesterol ratio was significantly related to both variables, MAC and BW (r = 0.570; P less than 0.001).