Comparison of Lipid Profile of Sedentary Workers with the Athletes Undertaking Aerobic Exercises Regularly

Abstract

Background: Incidence of cardiovascular disease has increased rapidly in India. Serum lipid levels are among the
most important causative factors which in turn related to lifestyle of an individual.
Aim: This study was aimed to compare the lipid profile of sedentary workers with the athletes undertaking
exercises regularly.
Materials and Methods: It was a cross sectional analytical study. It was undertaken among 150 adult males of
age 20-50 years. Participants were selected on the basis history of regular exercise and apparently healthy adult
males with no athletic or exercise activity for comparison. Known sufferers of hypertension, dyslipidemia or
on anti-hyperlipidemic drugs were excluded. All five athletic clubs in district town of Birbhum were selected
for data collection. Estimation of serum lipids was done at the biochemistry laboratory of the district hospitals.
Results: Mean total Cholesterol level (mg/dl) of the non-athletes (208.7 ± 30.7) was found to be more than athletes
(197.3 ± 71.1) and the finding was statistically not significant (p = 0.21). Mean LDL level (mg/dl) non-athletes (131.5
± 24.3) was found to be more than athletes (107.5 ± 15.5) and the finding was statistically significant (p=0.000).
Conclusion: Regular physical activity improves the HDL cholesterol which is known cardio-protective. Though
the total cholesterol was lower in athletes compared to those with sedentary life style but the finding was not
statistically significant. This study did include the diet history of the participants.