The influence of a 100 km run on the composition of HDL.

In 26 male patients in a 100 km run, concentrations of the HDL constituents cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, phosphatidyl choline and sphingomyelin were determined before and immediately after the run. Before running, the values for HDL cholesterol were higher in the participants than in a control population. However, the HDL sphingomyelin, HDL phosphatidyl choline and HDL apolipoprotein A-I values for the participants did not differ from the values in a control population. After the 100 km run only the HDL cholesterol values were increased whereas the other HDL constituents were not affected by the run. It is concluded, that the single exposure to prolonged heavy exercise produces a change in HDL composition which is characterized by an exclusive increase in the cholesterol content of the HDL.