Die verband van fisieke werksvermoë met enkele serumlipiedratio's by Suid-Afrikaanse mans en die invloed van sigaretrook daarop

Abstract

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICAL WORK CAPACITY AND SOME SERUM LIPID RATIOS IN SOUTH AFRICAN MEN AND THE INFLUENCE OF CIGARETTE SMOKING Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the Western world's biggest health threat and consensus has been reached with regard to the protective as well as the risk factors which determines CHD (Buist, 1995 : 1). Research reported in 1993, indicated that 48 000 South Africans are likely to have a miocardial infarction each year (MI) (Meyer, 1993 : 22). Research, reported in 1996, indicated that the death rate for the South African population, due to heart related diseases, were nearly 85 000 for that year and that it is still increasing (Statistics South Africa, 1996:143). Physical inactivity, hypertension, smoking and high total cholesterol concentration are the primary contributors to the development of atherosclerosis and the increased risk of CHD ( Leon, 2000: 513). Several studies have reported on the important role of physical fitness as a beneficial factor, with regard to the development of CHD (Bovens et al., 1993 :575). According to research there is a distinct correlation between improvement of physical fitness and the lowering of the total cholesterol concentration (Haddock et al., 1998 896). The objective of this study was firstly to determine the relationship between physical work capacity and the total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein-ratio (TC/HDL-ratio) and the low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein-ratio (LDL/HDL-ratio) among South African men. Data was gathered from 367 white men. Due to the fact that the risk for CHD progressively increases from the age of 30 years, and atherogenesis is less likely reversible from the age of 50 years, the men were divided into two age groups namely 35-49 years and 50-64 years (Hart et al., 1988:37). Physical work capacity was expressed as sub-maximal power output (watt.kg- 1 ) achieved during a progressive cycle ergometer test. Non-fasting blood samples were taken. Laboratory analyses to determine the total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) cholesterol concentrations were executed, as described by Vermaak et al. (1991:368). The analysis of the data indicated significant differences (p<0.05) between the fit and unfit men for both the ratios (TC/HDL and LDL/HDL), thus placing unfit men at an increased risk of developing CHD. Secondly, the effect of smoking was examined on the above mentioned relations. Analysis of data indicated significant differences for both lipid ratios (p<0.05). It is concluded by the results found in this study, that a man who is physically unfit and smokes, showed significant higher lipid ratios than their non smoking, physically fit counterparts.