Abstract

Serum HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and total cholesterol were measured in 35 senior tennis players aged 55 and above and in an age-matched sedentary control group. In addition, measures of weight, body fatness, diet and habitual physical activity were obtained. No differences were found between the tennis players and controls in total cholesterol, but HDL-C and the ratio of HDL-C to total cholesterol were significantly higher for the tennis players, being 1.54 +/- 0.25 mmol/l vs. 1.16 +/- 0.21 mmol/l, and 0.285 +/- .067 vs. 0.206 +/- .058, respectively. The tennis players consumed 164 +/- 31 kJ/kg/day vs. 137 +/- 37 kJ/kg/day for the controls, but were considerably thinner (sum of 5 skinfolds was 64.7 +/- 21.0 mm vs. 105.8 +/- 27.5 mm). The differences between groups for HDL-C remained when weight, body fatness and energy intake were controlled. The results suggest that energy expenditure associated with regular, competitive senior tennis play (about 1884 kJ/day) is associated with HDL-C values similar to those seen in runners and cross-country skiers. Verf.-Referat