Is HDL useful for Sport?

Whether HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is useful for sport cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. HDL is often called 'good' cholesterol because it transports excess cholesterol from arteries to the liver, protecting against atherosclerosis. For endurance athletes, moderately elevated HDL levels typically reflect good cardiovascular health and may support recovery. However, recent evidence suggests that pharmacologically raising HDL does not automatically improve performance or reduce cardiovascular events. Moreover, very intense training can transiently lower HDL. The evidence is largely observational and not causal. For recreational sports, HDL is a useful lifestyle biomarker (diet, exercise) but not a direct performance metric. Caveat: The provided context contains no specific information on HDL and sport – this answer is based on general medical knowledge. Genetic testing for HDL-related variants (e.g., CETP, LPL) currently has no established role in guiding sports training.