EFFECT OF AGE ON THE RESPONSE OF BLOOD-LIPIDS, BODY-COMPOSITION, AND AEROBIC POWER TO PHYSICAL CONDITIONING DECONDITIONING

The influence of age on the response of plasma lipids, body compositio n, and cardiovascular performance to physical training and detraining was studied in 12 older and 12 young adult male cyclists. The athletes were first examined at the peak of their seasonal preparation and the n again 2 months after its suspension. Sedentary males matched for age , weight, and height comprised the respective control groups. During t raining, body fat mass (BFM) was significantly lower and maximum oxyge n consumption (Vo(2)max) higher in both groups of cyclists as compared with controls. No differences in serum total cholesterol (TC), low-de nsity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein (ape) B, apo A-i i, and fibrinogen were found. During the same phase, triglycerides (TG ) and the LDL-C to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio were significantly lower and apo A-I, HDL-C, HDL(3)-C, and the apo A-I /apo B ratio were significantly higher in the athletes than in their c orresponding sedentary controls. After physical deconditioning, BFM in creased and Vi(2)max decreased significantly in both groups of athlete s. TG, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and fibrinog en increased in young athletes while the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio increased, and apo A-I, HDL-C, HDL(2)-C, and HDL(3)-C decreased significantly in both young and older athletes. Thus, an aerobic training program induc ed an antiatherogenic lipoprotein profile and beneficial modifications in body composition and aerobic power in both older and younger subje cts; a 2-month interruption in the program changed these parameters un favorably in both groups. Age does not seem to influence significantly the plasma lipid response to physical deconditioning. Copyright (C) 1 995 by W.B. Saunders Company