Background: Physical activity influences lipid metabolism, but data on athletes in Nigerian population considering gender and sport types are limited.

Objective: To compared lipid-profiles of university athletes and non-athletes and evaluate the influence of gender, age, and sporting activity.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 apparently healthy participants at Ambrose Alli University, comprising 50 athletes and 50 non-athletes aged 16-35 years. Sociodemographic information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Fasting venous blood samples were collected into lithium heparin tubes, centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes, and plasma stored at -20 degree Celsius. From the plasma samples analysis of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), using enzymatic laboratory methods, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated using Friedewald’s equation. Data were analyzed with SPSS v26.0 using t-test, Chi-square, and One-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Athletes had higher mean TG concentrations than non-athletes (203.99 ± 69.54 vs. 173.28 ± 50.00 mg/dL), and this difference was statistically significant, t = −2.151, p = 0.035. Significant differences existed across gender/activity groups for all lipids (p<0.001). Male athletes had highest TG (231.28 + 41.09 mg/dL) and lowest TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C. Female athletes had highest TC (194.78 + 84.80 mg/dL), HDL-C (58.43 + 25.44 mg/dL), and LDL-C (114.65 + 65.24 mg/dL). Age had no significant effect among athletes. Among sports, only LDL-C differed significantly (p = 0.049), with footballers having the highest.

Conclusion: Gender and athletic status interact to influence lipid profile. Male athletes showed a less favorable lipid pattern despite exercise, indicating need for routine screening and nutritional evaluation. Health promotion programs encouraging regular exercise may help reduce cardiovascular risk among students.

Keywords: Athletes; Cardiovascular risk; Cholesterol; Exercise; Lipid profile; Triglycerides; University students.