ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is associated with VO2. XX individuals have greater aerobic capacity. Endurance training eliminates differences in peak VO2 between XX and RR individuals. These findings suggest a ceiling-effect phenomenon, and, perhaps, trained individuals may not constitute an adequate population to explain associations between phenotypic variability and gene variations.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of resistance training (RT) on the metabolism of an LDL-like nanoemulsion and on lipid transfer to HDL, an important step of HDL metabolism. Methods: LDL-like nanoemulsion plasma kinetics was studied in 15 healthy men under regular RT for 1-4 years (age = 25 ± 5 years, VO 2 peak = 50 ± 6 mL/kg/min) and in 15 healthy sedentary men (28 ± 7 years, VO 2 peak = 35 ± 9 mL/kg/min). LDL-like nanoemulsion labeled with 14 C-cholesteryl-ester and 3 H-freecholesterol was injected intravenously, plasma samples were collected over 24-h to determine decay curves and fractional clearance rates (FCR). Lipid transfer to HDL was determined in vitro by incubating of plasma samples with nanoemulsions (lipid donors) labeled with radioactive free-cholesterol, cholesterylester, triacylglycerols and phospholipids. HDL size, paraoxonase-1 activity and oxidized LDL levels were also determined. Results: The two groups showed similar LDL and HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerols, but oxidized LDL was lower in RT (30 ± 9 vs. 61 ± 19 U/L, p = 0.0005). In RT, the nanoemulsion 14 C-cholesteryl-ester was removed twice as fast than in sedentary individuals (FCR: 0.068 ± 0.023 vs. 0.037 ± 0.028, p = 0.002), as well as 3 H-free-cholesterol (0.041 ± 0.025 vs. 0.022 ± 0.023, p = 0.04). While both nanoemulsion labels were removed at the same rate in sedentary individuals, RT 3 H-free-cholesterol was removed slower than 14 C-cholesteryl-ester (p = 0.005). HDL size, paraoxonase 1 and the transfer rates to HDL of the four lipids were the same in both groups. Conclusions: RT accelerated the clearance of LDL-like nanoemulsion, which probably accounts for the oxidized LDL levels reduction in RT. RT also changed the balance of free and esterified cholesterol FCR's. However, RT had no effect on HDL metabolism related parameters.

Exercise training not only improves the plasma lipid profile but also reduces risk of developing coronary heart disease. We investigate whether plasma lipids and high density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism are affected by aerobic training and whether the high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels at baseline influence exercise‐induced changes in HDL. Seventy‐one male sedentary volunteers were evaluated and allocated in two subgroups, according to the HLD‐C levels (< or >40 mg/dL). Participants underwent an 18‐week aerobic training period. Blood was sampled before and after training for biochemical analysis. Plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, HDL diameter, and VO2 peak were determined. Lipid transfers to HDL were determined in vitro by incubating plasma samples with a donor lipid artificial nanoemulsion. After the 18‐week period of aerobic training, the VO2 peak increased, while the mean body mass index (BMI) decreased. HDL‐C concentration was higher after the training period, but low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and non‐HDL‐C did not change. The transfer of esterified cholesterol and phospholipids was greater after exercise training, but the triacylglycerol and unesterified cholesterol transfers were unchanged. The HDL particle diameter increased after aerobic training in all participants. When the participants were separated in low‐HDL and normal‐HDL groups, the postaerobic exercise increment in HDL‐C was higher in the low‐HDL group, while the transfer of esterified cholesterol was lower. In conclusion, aerobic exercise training increases the lipid transfers to HDL, as measured by an in vitro method, which possibly contributes to the classical elevation of the HDL‐C associated with training.