Influence of Lipid Profileand Somatotype on Aerobic Capacity in Athletes

PURPOSE:In recent times, the incidence of sudden cardiac death in athletes has increased. Therefore, this study aimed to establish the influence of somatotype components and lipid profile on VO2 max, a cardiovascular risk indicator in physically active young South Indian males.METHODS:Eighty-six male athletes were included (Age 21.99 ± 2.78 years, Body mass 65.24 ± 8.77 Kg, Height 171.42 ± 6.19 cm) and somatotyped by the Heath-Carter method. Bruce protocol treadmill test was done and VO2 max norms were calculated using the total exercise time in the treadmill test. Based on the VO2 max, subjects were grouped into Fair VO2 max (36.5 – 42.4, Good VO2 max (42.5 – 46.4), Excellent VO2 max (46.5 – 52.4), and Superior VO2 max group (> 52.4).Blood tests were done for fasting cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Spearman correlation was done to understand the relationship between the VO2 max groups, somatotype components, and lipid profile. RESULTS:An increase in endomorphy and mesomorphy components negatively correlated with VO2 max in young male athletes. A significant influence of somatotype components on lipid profile was observed only in the Excellent and Superior VO2 max groups. In these groups, a negative relationship was observed between ectomorphy and cholesterol level, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and Cholesterol High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (Chol-HDL-C) ratio. Similarly, an increase in the endomorphy component showed a positive relationship with LDL-C and the Chol-HDL-C ratio. An increase in endomorph had a negative relationship with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in these groups. Athletes in the Fair, Good, and Excellent VO2 max categories demonstrated LDL-C levels in the "Near Optimum" range, while those in the Superior VO2 max group exhibited LDL-C levels within the "Optimum" range as per the Adult Treatment Panel, (ATP) III classification of serum lipid parameters and this is a new clinical observation recorded.CONCLUSION:These findings suggest that the somatotype components and lipid profile have an impact on VO2 max, a determinant of cardiovascular endurance, and a risk indicator.in various Scopus indexed journals was examined bibliometrically, for the years 2014-2024.