Body composition and lipid profile of regular recreational table tennis participants: a cross-sectional study of older adult men

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of regular participation in recreational table tennis training on bone health, body composition and lipid profile of elderly men. 20 regular recreational table tennis players (11.6 ± 3.6 years of experience) and 20 sedentary older adults (age, mass and sex matched of 65–75 years) participated in the study. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were determined after 12 h fasting. Body composition was analyzed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Regular recreational table tennis participants displayed higher HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.03) and lower LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.04) and triglycerides (p = 0.002) compared to sedentary participants. In the regular recreational table tennis participants compared with sedentary participants, total (p = 0.001), sub-regional [lumbar spines (p = 0.001), arm (p = 0.006), leg (p < 0.008)] and site-specific [femoral neck (p = 0.007), trochanter (p = 0.03), and ward’s triangle (p = 0.001)] bone mineral densities were higher. Body fat percentage (p = 0.04) and total and sub-regional fat mass [arm (p = 0.004), leg (p = 0.02), and trunk (p = 0.04)] were lower. There was no significant difference in the total and sub-regional lean mass between groups (p > 0.05). This study offers preliminary evidence to suggest that recreational table tennis training, with the potential for permanent implementation, is associated with beneficial effects on body composition and lipid profile in older adult men. Further research regarding recreational table tennis to be used as a health-promoting activity for older adults is warranted.