Immediate and delayed effects of marathon running on lipids and lipoproteins in women

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the immediate and delayed effects of prolonged strenuous exercise on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in female runners. Venous blood samples were collected from 12 female runners 24 h before, 10 min after, and 1, 3, and 5 d after running a 42 km marathon. Whole blood was analyzed for hematocrit and hemoglobin to determine plasma volume shifts. Plasma aliquots were assayed for total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride concentrations, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was estimated. Total cholesterol concentrations were significantly reduced 1 d following the exercise and were still lower 3 and 5 d post-marathon. LDL-C was lower immediately and 1 d after the marathon. HDL-C concentrations, corrected for changes in plasma volume, were elevated 24 h post-exercise. The ratio of HDL/total cholesterol was increased 24 h post-exercise. Triglyceride concentrations were elevated immediately following the marathon but returned to baseline levels by 24 h post-exercise. These results demonstrate that prolonged strenuous exercise in women produces changes in blood lipid profiles that can last for several days.