~ 161 ~ International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health 2017; 4(1): 161-164 P-ISSN: 2394-1685 E-ISSN: 2394-1693 Impact Factor (RJIF): 5.38 IJPESH 2017; 4(1): 161-164 © 2017 IJPESH www.kheljournal.com Received: 15-11-2016 Accepted: 16-12-2016 Gustavo Meliscki Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil Luciana Monteiro Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil Enrico Puggina School of Physical Education and Sports of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Estela Carneseca Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil Francisco Pereira Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil Milton Foss Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil Maria Cristina Foss-Freitas Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil Correspondence Luciana Monteiro Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil Bone mineral density, lipid profile and body composition: a comparison of swimmers, runners and controls Gustavo Meliscki, Luciana Monteiro, Enrico Puggina, Estela Carneseca, Francisco Pereira, Milton Foss and Maria Cristina Foss-Freitas Abstract The aim of this study was to compare bone mineral density, lipid profile and body composition among swimmers, runners and control group. The study was conducted on three groups of individuals, i.e., swimmers (n=14), runners (n=08), and physically active healthy individuals (controls, n=15). Body composition and bone mineral density were evaluated by DXA, and the lipid profile (total cholesterol - TC, HDL - cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol and triglycerides - TG) was analyzed by the automatic spectrophotometric method. Swimmers and runners had a lower percent fat and fat mass and a greater amount of lean mass compared to control (p<0.05). Regarding changes in lipid profile, the swimmers had a higher concentrations of HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, TC and triglycerides than controls (p<0.05), whereas the runners had a lower concentration of HDL-cholesterol and a higher concentration of triglycerides (p<0.05). Despite the body benefits, high-performance sport practice causes a factors for cardiovascular diseases. Keywords: Athletics, body composition, lipid profile, bone mineral density 1. Introduction Moderate physical exercise has been accepted as a cardiovascular protector [1, 2] and is also known to provide some beneficial adaptations in body composition [3, 4] . Like the cardiovascular adaptations, body composition adapts according to the stimulus received; for instance, intensity and specificity are determinant factors for sport performance [5] . In this respect, the best performances are observed in individuals with the most favorable characteristics for the sport in question, with the appropriate anthropometric characteristics being considered to be determinant factors for which sport performances [6] . Compartmental anthropometric evaluation implies the quantitation of the major components of the body such as fat, muscles, bones, and visceral mass [7] . In high-performance athletes, the evaluation of body composition by means of simpler methods and especially by the body mass index (BMI) may lead to controversial results since muscle mass is denser and weighs more than fat [8] . Several studies have shown the benefit of sport practice regarding body aspects [9, 10, 11] , showing an increase in muscle mass quantity and a decrease in body fat. Also, regarding bone mineral density (BMD), studies have stated that sports involving activities with ground impact or epiphyseal torque due to muscle activity promote increase bone density [12, 13] . Considering the modifications associated with physical exercise, it seems reasonable to ask whether the practice of intense and sustained physical exercise such as that performed by elite athletes can lead to an increase in oxidative stress, provoking an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases since reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting from excessive effort may contribute to the onset and progression of atherosclerotic lesions, favoring the infiltration and accumulation of lipids in the subendothelial space [14] . On this basis, the objective of the present study was to compare bone mineral density, lipid profile and body composition among swimmers, runners and control group.