Characterization of growth hormone disulfide-linked molecular isoforms during post-exercise release vs nocturnal pulsatile release reveals similar milieu composition.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the influence of mode (aerobic/resistance) and volume of exercise (moderate/high) on circulating GH immediately post-exercise as well as following the onset of sleep. DESIGN: This study used repeated measures in which subjects randomly completed 5 separate conditions: control (no exercise), moderate volume resistance exercise (MR), high-volume resistance exercise (HR), moderate volume aerobic exercise (MA), and high volume aerobic exercise (HA). METHODS: Subjects had two overnight stays on each of the 5 iterations. Serial blood draws began as soon as possible after the completion of the exercise session. Blood was obtained every 20 min for 24-h. GH was measured using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. Pooled samples representing post exercise (PE) and first nocturnal pulse (NP) were divided into two aliquots. One of these aliquots was chemically reduced by adding 10 mM glutathione (GSH) to break down disulfide-linked aggregates. RESULTS: No differences were observed when pooling GH response at post-exercise (2.02 ±â€¯0.21) and nocturnal pulse (2.63 ±â€¯0.51; p = .32). Pairwise comparisons revealed main effect differences between controls (1.19 ±â€¯0.29) and both MA (2.86 ±â€¯0.31; p = .009) and HA (3.73 ±â€¯0.71; p = .001). Both MA (p = .049) and HA (p = .035) responses were significantly larger than the MR stimulus (1.96 ±â€¯0.28). With GSH reduction, controls significantly differed from MA (p = .018) and HA (p = .003) during PE, but only differed from HA (p = .003) during NP. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated similar GH responses to exercise and nocturnal pulse, indicating that mode and intensity of exercise does not proportionately affect GH dimeric isoform concentration.

The effects of exercise training programs on plasma concentrations of proenkephalin Peptide F and catecholamines.

To determine if exercise training alters the pattern and magnitude of plasma concentrations of proenkephalin Peptide F and epinephrine, plasma proenkephalin [107-140] Peptide F(ir) and catecholamines were examined pre-training (T-1), and after 4- (T-2), 8- (T-3), and 12-weeks (T-4) of training. 26 healthy men were matched and randomly assigned to one of three groups: heavy resistance strength training (Strength, n=9), high intensity endurance training (Endurance, n=8), or both training modalities combined (Combined, n=9). Blood was collected using a syringe with a cannula inserted into a superficial arm vein with samples collected at rest, after each 7 min stage and 5 and 15 min into recovery. With training, all groups observed shifted plasma Peptide F responses to graded exercise, where significant increases were observed at lower exercise intensities. Increases in plasma epinephrine with exercise were observed in all groups. The Combined group saw increases at 25% at T-3 and for 50% at T-2, T-3, and T-4 which was higher than T-1. The Endurance group demonstrated increases for 50% at T-1, T-2, T-3 but not at T-4. The plasma epinephrine response to graded exercise was reduced in the Strength group. Increases in plasma norepinephrine above rest were observed starting at 50% . The Strength group demonstrated a significant reduction in norepinephrine observed at 100% at T-3 and T-4. Peptide F and catecholamines responses to graded exercise can be altered by different types of physical exercise training. Simultaneous high intensity training may produce adrenal medulla exhaustion when compared to single mode training.

Twenty-hour growth hormone secretory profiles after aerobic and resistance exercise.

INTRODUCTION: The pulsatile secretion pattern of growth hormone (GH) is an important parameter of GH action at peripheral tissues, and more information is needed on how exercise impacts GH secretion. This study hypothesized that both aerobic and resistance exercise would exhibit dose-response relationships with respect to exercise duration and 20-h postexercise GH secretion. METHODS: Eight healthy men randomly completed five separate conditions: 1) control (no exercise; CON), 2) a moderate-duration (1-h) aerobic exercise session (MA), 3) a long-duration (2-h) aerobic exercise session (LA), 4) a moderate-duration (1-h) resistance exercise session (MR), and 5) a long-duration (2-h) resistance exercise session (LR). Exercise intensity, diet, sleep, and physical activity were strictly controlled during each condition, and blood was sampled postexercise every 20 min for 20 h, and GH secretion parameters were analyzed via cluster and deconvolution analyses. RESULTS: Only the 2-h aerobic exercise bout resulted in a significant amplification of GH secretion as evidenced by increases in GH burst peak amplitude (∼100%), basal GH secretion rate (∼127%), total GH basal secretion (∼120%), total pulsatile secretion (∼88%), and total GH secretion (∼89%) over the control (i.e., no exercise) condition. GH secretions for the resistance exercise conditions were not different from control. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that the 2-h aerobic exercise condition resulted in higher energy expenditure than the other exercise conditions could offer a partial explanation for the greater GH amplification because of the metabolic effects that GH exerts in stimulating postexercise lipolysis. We conclude that extending the duration of aerobic exercise, but not resistance exercise, from 1- to 2-h significantly amplifies GH secretion during a 20-h period.

Effects of exercise mode and duration on 24-h IGF-I system recovery responses.

INTRODUCTION: This study hypothesized that insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP), rather than insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) itself, would be more responsive to acute exercise stress in a dose-dependent fashion. METHODS: Eight men (24 +/- 5 yr, 87 +/- 9 kg, 182 +/- 6 cm, 21 +/- 5% body fat) had blood drawn every 4 h after exercise for 24 h and assayed for IGF-I, IGFBP-1, -3, -6, the acid labile subunit (ALS), insulin, glucose, and nonesterified free fatty acids on five occasions: no exercise (control, C), moderate-duration resistance exercise (MDRE; 25, 5-10 repetition maximum (RM) sets), long-duration resistance exercise (LDRE; 50, 5-10 RM sets), moderate-duration aerobic exercise (MDAE; three 15-min cycling bouts at approximately 70% (.)VO2peak), and long-duration aerobic exercise (LDAE; six 15-min cycling bouts at approximately 70% (.)VO2peak). Energy requirements were determined from resting metabolic rate, age, and a physical activity factor. Dietary control was implemented by providing all meals during the experimental trials. A two-way ANOVA with repeated measures (P < 0.05) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Significant exercise effects were observed for IGFBP-1 (C: 14.0 +/- 2.7 < MDRE: 35.9 +/- 8.6 = LDRE: 45.2 +/- 10.6 = MDAE: 34.2 +/- 7.4 = LDAE: 47.0 +/- 11.8 ng x mL(-1) and insulin (C: 26.0 +/- 9 < LDRE: 13.2 +/- 6 ng x mL). In addition, a dose-response relationship was observed for the IGFBP-1 response (long-duration exercise (46 +/- 10 ng x mL(-1)) > moderate-duration exercise (35 +/- 7 ng x mL(-1)). There were no exercise effects for total IGF-I, IGFBP-3, and ALS. Effects of time of day were observed for all variables except ALS. CONCLUSIONS: For the circulating IGF-I system components measured, only IGFBP-1 seems to be a sensitive biomarker capable of assessing the physiological strain of acute physical exercise.

Altered secretion of growth hormone and luteinizing hormone after 84 h of sustained physical exertion superimposed on caloric and sleep restriction.

The pulsatile release of growth hormone (GH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary gland is integral for signaling secretion of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and testosterone, respectively. This study examined the hypothesis that 84 h of sustained physical exertion with caloric and sleep restriction alters the secretion of GH and LH. Ten male soldiers [22 yr (SD 3), 183 cm (SD 7), 87 kg (SD 8)] had blood drawn overnight from 1800 to 0600 every 20 min for GH, LH, and leptin and every 2 h for IGF-I (total and free), IGF binding proteins-1 and -3, testosterone (total and free), glucose, and free fatty acids during a control week and after 84 h of military operational stress. Time-series cluster and deconvolution analyses assessed the secretion parameters of GH and LH. Significant results (P < or = 0.05) were as follows: body mass (-3%), fat-free mass (-2.3%), and fat mass (-7.3%) declined after military operational stress. GH and LH secretion burst amplitude (approximately 50%) and overnight pulsatile secretion (approximately 50%), IGF binding protein-1 (+67%), and free fatty acids (+33%) increased, whereas leptin (-47%), total (-27%) and free IGF-I (-32%), total (-24%) and free testosterone (-30%), and IGF binding protein-3 (-6%) decreased. GH and LH pulse number were unaffected. Because GH and LH positively regulate IGF-I and testosterone, these data imply that the physiological strain induced a certain degree of peripheral resistance. During periods of energy deficiency, amplitude modulation of GH and LH pulses may precede alterations in pulse numbers.

Effects of concurrent resistance and aerobic training on load-bearing performance and the Army physical fitness test.

The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of high intensity endurance training (ET) and resistance training (RT) alone and in combination on various military tasks. Thirty-five male soldiers were randomly assigned to one of four training groups: total body resistance training plus endurance training (RT + ET), upper body resistance training plus endurance training [UB + ET), RT only, and ET only. Training was performed 4 days per week for 12 weeks. Testing occurred before and after the 12-week training regimen. All groups significantly improved push-up performance, whereas only the RT + ET group did not improve sit-up performance. The groups that included ET significantly decreased 2-mile run time, however, only RT + ET and UB + ET showed improved loaded 2-mile run time. Leg power increased for groups that included lower body strengthening exercises (RT and RT + ET). Army Physical Fitness Test performance, loaded running, and leg power responded positively to training, however, it appears there is a high degree of specificity when concurrent training regimens are implemented.

Differential responses of IGF-I molecular complexes to military operational field training.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) modulate metabolic activity and tissue repair and are influenced by nutritional status. IGF-I circulates in free, ternary [IGF-I + IGFBP-3 + acid labile subunit (ALS)], and binary (IGF-I + IGFBP) molecular complexes, and the relative proportions regulate IGF-I extravascular shifting and bioavailability. This study examined the hypothesis that sustained physical activity and sleep deprivation superimposed on a short-term energy deficit would alter the IGFBP concentrations and alter the proportions of IGF-I circulating in ternary vs. binary molecular complexes. Components of the IGF-I system (total and free IGF-I; IGFBP-1, -3, and ALS; nonternary IGF-I and IGFBP-3), biomarkers of metabolic and nutritional status (transferrin, ferritin, prealbumin, glucose, free fatty acids, glycerol, beta-hydroxybutyrate), and body composition were measured in 12 men (22 +/- 3 yr, 87 +/- 8 kg, 183 +/- 7 cm, 20 +/- 5% body fat) on days 1, 3, and 4 during a control and experimental (Exp) period. During Exp, subjects performed prolonged work (energy expenditure of approximately 4500 kcal/day) with caloric (1600 kcal/day) and sleep (6.2 h total) restriction. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were measured by immunoassay before and after immunoaffinity depletion of ALS-based complexes (i.e., ternary complex removal). Exp produced losses in body mass (-3.0%), lowered total IGF-I (-24%), free IGF-I (-42%), IGFBP-3 (-6%), nonternary IGF-I (-27%), and IGFBP-3 (-16%), and increased IGFBP-1 (256%). No Exp effects were observed for ALS. No changes were observed in the proportion of IGF-I circulating in free ( approximately 1.2%), ternary ( approximately 87.4%), or nonternary ( approximately 11.4%) molecular complexes. During Exp, glucose concentrations were lower on day 3, but days 1 and 4 were statistically similar. In conclusion, during a short-term energy deficit in young, healthy men, 1). IGF-I system components differentially respond (both in direction and magnitude) to a given metabolic perturbation and 2). the relative proportion of IGF-I sequestered in ternary vs. nonternary molecular complexes appears to be well maintained.

The effect of creatine monohydrate supplementation on obstacle course and multiple bench press performance.

Dietary creatine (Cr) supplementation has been shown to enhance muscular strength and endurance. This study determined the effects of Cr supplementation on performance of military training tasks. Two groups (Cr and placebo [Pl]) of 13 male soldiers each performed 3 consecutive military obstacle course runs ( approximately 3 minutes over 7 obstacles with a 2-minute rest between runs) followed by a rifle marksmanship task on 3 occasions (T(1), T(2), and T(3)), each separated by 5 days. They also completed a bench press protocol (5 sets to failure at 70% of 1 repetition maximum) and answered the Profile of Mood States questionnaire during each test session. Testing was done 3 times. No supplementation was given before T(1). Supplementation was provided using sports bars, with both groups receiving Pl bars between T(1) and T(2), whereas from T(2) to T(3) the Cr group consumed 24 g per day of Cr monohydrate in sports bars and the Pl group consumed an equal amount (kilocalories) of Pl sports bars. Creatine usage resulted in a significant (14%) increase in total bench press repetitions (p

Physical performance responses during 72 h of military operational stress.

PURPOSE: To characterize the impact of prolonged work, underfeeding, and sleep deprivation (i.e., sustained operations; SUSOPS) on physical and occupational related performance during military operational stress. METHODS: Ten male soldiers were tested on days 1 (D1), 3 (D3), and 4 (D4) of a control and an experimental week that included prolonged physical work (total daily energy expenditure approximately 4,500 kcal x d(-1)), underfeeding (approximately 1,600 kcal x d(-1)), and sleep deprivation (approximately 2 h x d(-1)). Body composition was measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Ballistic power was assessed by 30 repetitive squat jumps and bench-press throws. Military-relevant occupational performance was evaluated with a 10-min box lift, obstacle course, grenade throw, rifle marksmanship, and a 25-min wall-build task. RESULTS: Fat-free mass (-2.3%) and fat mass (-7.3%) declined (P

Correlates of load carriage and obstacle course performance among women.

To examine correlates of the speed at which female soldiers carrying loads could cover 3.2 km on foot and traverse an obstacle course, 12 volunteers (mean +/- SD: 25.3 +/- 6 years, 166 +/- 7 cm, 61.3 +/- 7 kg) were timed over 3.2 km while carrying loads of 14, 27, and 41 kg, and while traversing an obstacle course with the two lighter loads. Pearson correlations showed that absolute VO_[2 max] and 3.2 km run time without a load were the best predictors of 3.2 km load carriage time for all loads. Also, larger subjects with greater muscle mass were able to carry the heaviest load faster than smaller, less muscular subjects, likely because the 41 kg load represented a smaller percentage of the former's bodyweight. Maximum number of sit-ups and push-ups, composite score of the Army Physical Fitness Test as well as body height were positively correlated with the speed at which some course segments were traversed.

Comparison of the physical fitness of men and women entering the U.S. Army: 1978-1998.

PURPOSE: To compare the physical fitness levels of recruits entering the U.S. Army in 1998 to those entering in 1978 and 1983. METHODS: In 1998, 182 men and 168 women were tested before beginning basic training at Fort Jackson, SC. The measurements were 1) skin-fold estimation of percent body fat (%BF); 2) maximum oxygen uptake by treadmill running (VO2max); and 3) upper-body (UB), lower-body (LB), and upright pulling (UP) isometric strength. These data were compared to data from basic trainees at Fort Jackson in 1978 (skin folds, VO2max, UB, and LB) and 1983 (skin folds and UP). RESULTS: Body weight (BW) of 1998 recruits was greater (P < 0.05) than 1978 recruits (men, 12%; women, 6%) and 1983 recruits (men, 8%; women, 7%). %BF of 1998 recruits was greater (P < 0.05) than 1978 recruits (men, 15%; women, 5%) and 1983 recruits (men, 15%; women, 17%). The 1998 men had more fat-free mass (FFM) (P < 0.05) than men in 1978 (8%) or 1983 (5%), whereas 1998 women were only different from those measured in 1978 (4%, P < 0.05). The VO2max of men (50.6 +/- 6.2 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) was equivalent to men in 1978, whereas that of women (39.7 +/- 5.2 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) was 6% greater (P < 0.05). The 1998 recruits were stronger (P < 0.05) on all measures of muscle strength than recruits measured in 1978 (men, UB = 16%, LB = 12%; women, UB = 18%, LB = 6%) and 1983 (men, UP = 7%; women, UP = 6%). CONCLUSION: The aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and FFM of 1998 recruits is comparable to or greater than that of 1978 and 1983 recruits; however, 1998 recruits tended to have more BW and a greater %BF.