Effect of the professional basketball season on the lipids profile

The aim of the present study was to verify the effect of the professional basketball season on the lipids profile. Seven professional players (age: 23.6±4.3 years; body mass: 110.2±17.5 kg; height: 195.4±10.3 cm) were evaluated before and after a period ranging 4 moths, during national professional basketball season (2 games per week, 2 to 3 tactical and technical exercise workout, 2 to 3 strength exercise workout, 1 to 2 recuperative workout and 1 day of passive rest, all of then as a median per week). Blood samples and anthropometric measures were taken. The first visit was made before the beginning of the season and the second visit two days (48 hours) after the ending of the last game of the season. The lipids profile (triglyceride, VLDL, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and total cholesterol) was analyses by commercial kits (Labtest®, Brazil). The comparison between the results (before and after) was carried through by non-parametric Wilcoxon pair test. The level of significance of 5% was used (p < 0.05). After basketball season, a reduction in the LDL-cholesterol plasma concentrations was demonstrated (before: 111.40±9 mg/dL after: 84.60±8.50 mg/dL; p < 0.05), as well as in total cholesterol (before: 171.20±6.44 mg/dL after: 148.20±6.37 mg/dL; p < 0.05). Besides, increase in rate the HDL/total cholesterol was found (before: 0.22±0.03 after: 0.27±0.06; p < 0.05). The results herein found indicate that the basketball season may induce changes in LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and in rate the HDL/total cholesterol concentrations, suggesting a modulatory effect on the lipid profile in professional basketball player after 4 moths season.