Effects of a Competitive Season on the Plasma Lipid Profile of Soccer Players

Abstract

Abstract Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a soccer season period on the lipid parameters of professional soccer players. Eighty-seven soccer players participated in the study. Methods Blood for determination of lipid profiles was obtained before the beginning of the training period (T0), just after the 4-week training period (T1), at the middle of the season (T2, after 23 weeks from T0), and at the end of the season (T3, after 43 weeks from T0). Results During the competitive season, a significant decrease in BMI and in the percentage of body fat and an increase in fat-free mass was observed. The plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC) (in T0: 172.85 ± 22.7, in T3: 154.70 ± 20.3 mg/dl, p = 0.004) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (in T0: 106.87 ± 22.7 mg/dl, in T3: 91.06 ± 20.5mg/dl, p = 0.001) significantly decreased, whereas high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations increased significantly in response to training (in T0: 56.64 ± 10.3 in T3: 63.69 ± 10.7 mg/dl, p = 0.005). Furthermore, the soccer season period significantly decreased triglyceride (TG) levels (in T0: 159.19 ± 38.2, in T1 137.63 ± 34.2 mg/dl, p < 0.0001) as well as TC/HDL ratio (in T0: 3.14 ± 0,6, in T3: 137.63 ± 34.2 mg/dl, p < 0.0001). Conclusions the decrement of LDL, TC, and TG, as well as the increment of HDL in soccer players at the end of the season, may suggest a beneficial effect of regular soccer training on atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease risk as well.