Changes in lipid metabolism induced by Volley Ball playing

This study investigated the behavior of several lipemic indices (Cholesterol, HDL-Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Apoprotein B) in 14 Volley Ball players engaged in an international tournament. The subjects played two matches, on consecutive evenings, and blood samples were taken before and after each match. Only HDL-Cholesterol and Triglycerides showed a significant increase after each match. The Triglycerides increased much less after the second match than after the first. The total amount of actual playing time varied considerably (from less than 6 minutes to more than 40) but this was not correlated with the behavior of the indices considered. Possible explanations for the observed variations are reviewed and it is suggested that the alterations in Triglyceride levels may be the result of a lipolytic response to stress with consequent use of free fatty acids for the synthesis of Triglycerides in the liver.