Generally, regular exercise is known to help to improve lipid metabolism. In the spinal cord injured, relative inactivity to able-bodied person causes altered lipid profiles and, in turn, possibly increases cardiovascular mortality. We performed this study to measure serum lipid profiles in paraplegics and to evaluate effect of regular exercise on lipid profiles. The subjects are 21 paraplegics, who are divided into 2 groups, 10 SCI athletes and 11 SCI non-athletes. The serum levels of lipoproteins in these subjects were measured and compared each other. The levels of serum HDL-cholesterol were lower in the order of, non-athlete group, athelte group, and normal control group, and there was a significant difference between athlete and non-athlete groups. The ratios of total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol were higher in the order of non-athlete group, athlete group, and normal control group, and there was a significant difference between control and non-athlete groups. The serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride in three groups showed no significant differences.

In conclusion, serum levels of HDL-cholesterol were positively affected by regular exercise, and it is advised that the HDL-cholesterol levels of spinal cord injured should be checked regularly for follow-up examinations.