title: High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in marathon runners during a 20-day road race.
abstract: Plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and lipid levels were measured in 12 male marathon runners (mean age, 40 years) who ran an average of 28 km/day for ten days, rested 70 hours, then continued to run for eight more days, covering a total distance for both running periods of 500 km. Blood samples were obtained on eight mornings. After one week of running, HDL-cholesterol levels increased 18% and triglyceride levels decreased 22%. However, the three-day rest period reversed these changes. As running resumed, HDL-cholesterol levels again increased and triglyceride levels decreased. There were no significant changes in total cholesterol, body weight, or skinfold thickness despite an average caloric intake of 4,800 kcal/day. Heavy beer drinking had no discernible effect on HDL-cholesterol levels, but may have caused mild hepatic injury as suggested by significantly increased serum alanine transferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase values. This study demonstrates that HDL-cholesterol levels increase with higher running mileage and decrease within days of stopping exercise when caloric and alcohol intake remain elevated.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001515:Beer / Q000009:adverse effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D003681:Dehydration / Q000517:prevention & control; D002149:Energy Intake; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012420:Running; D013178:Sports Medicine; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase