RESUMO
Background: Exercise plays a role in preventing cardiovascular disease as well as other serious health problems. Objectives: A cross sectional comparative study was performed to observe the changes in serum total cholesterol and triglyceride in apparently healthy female athletes. Methods This study was carried out in the Department of Physiology of Dhaka Medical College from July 2005 to June 2006. For this, 30 female athletes aged 17 to 38 years (experimental) who were under regular physical exercise training for at least two years and age matched 30 healthy female non athletes (control) for comparison were selected. Fasting serum Triglyceride and total Cholesterol levels of all the subjects were measured. Data were compared between athletes and non athletes and analyzed statistically by unpaired ‘t’ test. Results Mean±SD cholesterol levels were 141.10 ±14.46 & 165.10±7.03 and Mean±SD Triglyceride levels were 76.10±11.54 & 96.60±17.02 in athletes and non athletes respectively. Serum total cholesterol (p<0.001) and triglycerides (p<0.01) were significantly lower; in athletes compared to those of non athlets. Conclusion: From this study it can be concluded that, serum total cholesterol and triglycerides may be lowered in athletes.