Compatibility of high-intensity strength and endurance training on hormonal and skeletal muscle adaptations.

Thirty-five healthy men were matched and randomly assigned to one of four training groups that performed high-intensity strength and endurance training (C; n = 9), upper body only high-intensity strength and endurance training (UC; n = 9), high-intensity endurance training (E; n = 8), or high-intensity strength training (ST; n = 9). The C and ST groups significantly increased one-repetition maximum strength for all exercises (P < 0.05). Only the C, UC, and E groups demonstrated significant increases in treadmill maximal oxygen consumption. The ST group showed significant increases in power output. Hormonal responses to treadmill exercise demonstrated a differential response to the different training programs, indicating that the underlying physiological milieu differed with the training program. Significant changes in muscle fiber areas were as follows: types I, IIa, and IIc increased in the ST group; types I and IIc decreased in the E group; type IIa increased in the C group; and there were no changes in the UC group. Significant shifts in percentage from type IIb to type IIa were observed in all training groups, with the greatest shift in the groups in which resistance trained the thigh musculature. This investigation indicates that the combination of strength and endurance training results in an attenuation of the performance improvements and physiological adaptations typical of single-mode training.

Changes in hormonal concentrations after different heavy-resistance exercise protocols in women.

Nine eumenorrheic women (age 24.11 +/- 4.28 yr) performed each of six randomly assigned heavy-resistance protocols (HREPs) on separate days during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The HREPs consisted of two series [series 1 (strength, S) and series 2 (hypertrophy, H)] of three protocols, each using identically ordered exercises controlled for load [5 vs. 10 repetitions maximum (RM)], rest period length (1 vs. 3 min), and total work (J) within each three-protocol series. Blood measures were determined pre-, mid- (after 4 of 8 exercises), and postexercise (0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 min and 24 and 48 h). In series 1, a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in growth hormone (GH) was observed at 90 min postexercise for all three protocols. In series 2, the 10-RM protocol with 1-min rest periods (H10/1) produced significant increases above rest in GH concentrations at 0, 5, and 15 min postexercise, and the H10/1 and H5/1 protocols demonstrated significant reductions at 90 and 120 min postexercise. Cortisol demonstrated significant increases in response to the S10/3 protocol at 0 min, to the H10/1 protocol at midexercise and at 0 and 5 min postexercise, and to the H5/1 protocol at 5 and 15 min postexercise. No significant changes were observed in total insulin-like growth factor I, total testosterone, urea, or creatinine for any of the HREPs. Significant elevations in whole blood lactate and ammonia along with significant reductions in blood glucose were observed. Hormonal and metabolic blood variables measured in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle varied in response to different HREPs. The most dramatic increases above resting concentrations were observed with the H10/1 protocol, indicating that the more glycolytic HREPs may stimulate greater GH and cortisol increases.

Effects of different heavy-resistance exercise protocols on plasma beta-endorphin concentrations.

To examine the changes of plasma beta-endorphin (beta-EP) concentrations in response to various heavy-resistance exercise protocols, eight healthy male subjects randomly performed each of six heavy-resistance exercise protocols, which consisted of identically ordered exercises carefully designed to control for the repetition maximum (RM) resistance (5 vs. 10 RM), rest period length (1 vs. 3 min), and total work (joules). Plasma beta-EP, ammonia, whole blood lactate and serum cortisol, creatine kinase, urea, and creatinine were determined preexercise, midexercise, immediately postexercise, and at various time points after the exercise session (5 min-48 h), depending on the specific blood variable examined. Only the high total work-exercise protocol [1 min rest, 10 RM load (H10/1)] demonstrated significant increases in plasma beta-EP and serum cortisol at midexercise and 0, 5, and 15 min postexercise. Increases in lactate were observed after all protocols, but the largest increases were observed after the H10/1 protocol. Within the H10/1 protocol, lactate concentrations were correlated (r = 0.82, P < 0.05) with plasma beta-EP concentrations. Cortisol increases were significantly correlated (r = 0.84) with 24-h peak creatine kinase values. The primary finding of this investigation was that beta-EP responds differently to various heavy-resistance exercise protocols. In heavy-resistance exercise, it appears that the duration of the force production and the length of the rest periods between sets are key exercise variables that influence increases in plasma beta-EP and serum cortisol concentrations. Furthermore the H10/1 protocol's significant challenge to the acid-base status of the blood, due to marked increases in whole blood lactate, may be associated with mechanisms modulating peripheral blood concentrations of beta-EP and cortisol.

Endogenous anabolic hormonal and growth factor responses to heavy resistance exercise in males and females.

To examine endogenous anabolic hormonal responses to two different types of heavy resistance exercise protocols (HREPs), eight male and eight female subjects performed two randomly assigned protocols (i.e. P-1 and P-2) on separate days. Each protocol consisted of eight identically ordered exercises carefully designed to control for load, rest period length, and total work (J) effects. P-1 utilized a 5 RM load, 3-min rest periods and had lower total work than P-2. P-2 utilized a 10 RM load, 1-min rest periods and had a higher total work than P-1. Whole blood lactate and serum glucose, human growth hormone (hGH), testosterone (T), and somatomedin-C [SM-C] (i.e. insulin-like growth factor 1, IGF-1) were determined pre-exercise, mid-exercise (i.e. after 4 of the 8 exercises), and at 0, 5, 15, 30, and 60 min post-exercise. Males demonstrated significant (p less than 0.05) increases above rest in serum T values, and all serum concentrations were greater than corresponding female values. Growth hormone increases in both males and females following the P-2 HREP were significantly greater at all time points than corresponding P-1 values. Females exhibited significantly higher pre-exercise hGH levels compared to males. The P-1 exercise protocol did not result in any hGH increases in females. SM-C demonstrated random significant increases above rest in both males and females in response to both HREPs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of high-intensity cycle exercise on sympathoadrenal-medullary response patterns.

Plasma proenkephalin peptide F immunoreactivity and catecholamines were examined on separate days in nine healthy males before and after maximal exercise to exhaustion at four intensities [36, 55, 73, and 100% of maximal leg power (MLP)] by use of a computerized cycle ergometer. The mean duration of 36, 55, 73, and 100% MLP was 3.31, 0.781, 0.270, and 0.1 min, respectively. All intensities were greater than those eliciting peak O2 uptake for the individual subjects. Blood samples were obtained before, immediately after exercise, and 5 and 15 min after exercise. Significant (P less than 0.05) increases in plasma peptide F immunoreactivity (i.e., from mean resting value of 0.18 to 0.43 pmol/ml) were observed immediately after exercise at 36% MLP. Significant increases in plasma epinephrine were observed immediately after exercise at 36% MLP (i.e., from mean resting value of 2.22 to 3.11 pmol/ml) and 55% MLP (i.e., from mean resting value of 1.67 to 2.98 pmol/ml) and 15 min after exercise at 100% MLP (i.e., from mean resting value of 1.92 to 3.88 pmol/ml). Significant increases for plasma norepinephrine were observed immediately after exercise (36, 55, 73, and 100% MLP), 5 min after exercise (36, 55, and 73% MLP), and 15 min after exercise (36% MLP). Increases in whole blood lactate were observed at all points after exercise for 36, 55, and 73% MLP and 5 min after exercise for 100% MLP. These data show that brief high-intensity exercise results in differential response patterns of catecholamines and proenkephalin peptide F immunoreactivity.

Hormonal and growth factor responses to heavy resistance exercise protocols.

To examine endogenous anabolic hormone and growth factor responses to various heavy resistance exercise protocols (HREPs), nine male subjects performed each of six randomly assigned HREPs, which consisted of identically ordered exercises carefully designed to control for load [5 vs. 10 repetitions maximum (RM)], rest period length (1 vs. 3 min), and total work effects. Serum human growth hormone (hGH), testosterone (T), somatomedin-C (SM-C), glucose, and whole blood lactate (HLa) concentrations were determined preexercise, midexercise (i.e., after 4 of 8 exercises), and at 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min postexercise. All HREPs produced significant (P less than 0.05) temporal increases in serum T concentrations, although the magnitude and time point of occurrence above resting values varied across HREPs. No differences were observed for T when integrated areas under the curve (AUCs) were compared. Although not all HREPs produced increases in serum hGH, the highest responses were observed consequent to the H10/1 exercise protocol (high total work, 1 min rest, 10-RM load) for both temporal and time integrated (AUC) responses. The pattern of SM-C increases varied among HREPs and did not consistently follow hGH changes. Whereas temporal changes were observed, no integrated time (AUC) differences between exercise protocols occurred. These data indicate that the release patterns (temporal or time integrated) observed are complex functions of the type of HREPs utilized and the physiological mechanisms involved with determining peripheral circulatory concentrations (e.g., clearance rates, transport, receptor binding). All HREPs may not affect muscle and connective tissue growth in the same manner because of possible differences in hormonal and growth factor release.

The effects of graded exercise on plasma proenkephalin peptide F and catecholamine responses at sea level.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of graded treadmill exercise on plasma preproenkephalin peptide F immunoreactivity and concomitant catecholamine responses at sea level (elevation, 50 m). Few data exist regarding the sea-level responses of plasma peptide F immunoreactivity to exercise. thirty-five healthy men performed a graded exercise test on a motor-driven treadmill at the relative exercise intensities of 25, 50, 75, and 100% of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max). Significant (P less than 0.05) increases above rest were observed for plasma peptide F immunoreactivity and norepinephrine at 75 and 100% of the VO2 max and at 5 min into recovery. Significant increases in plasma epinephrine were observed at 75 and 100% of VO2max. Whole blood lactate significantly increased above resting values at 50, 75, and 100% of the VO2max and at 5 min into recovery. These data demonstrate that exercise stress increases plasma peptide F immunoreactivity levels at sea level. While the exercise response patterns of peptide F immunoreactivity are similar to catecholamines and blood lactate responses, no bivariate relationships were observed. These data show that sea-level response patterns to graded exercise are similar to those previously observed at moderate altitude (elevation, 2200 m).

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal responses to short-duration high-intensity cycle exercise.

beta-Endorphin (beta-EP), adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), and cortisol plasma concentrations were examined before and after maximal exercise at four intensities [36, 55, 73, and 100% of maximal leg power (MLP)] by means of a computerized cycle ergometer. All intensities were greater than those eliciting peak O2 uptake for the individual subjects. Blood samples were collected at rest, immediately after exercise, and at 5 and 15 min postexercise. Significant (P less than 0.05) increases were observed at 36% MLP for beta-EP and ACTH immediately after exercise and at 5 and 15 min postexercise. Plasma cortisol increased at 36% MLP at 15 min postexercise. Blood lactate significantly increased at all postexercise collection points for exercise intensities of 36, 55, and 73% MLP and at 5 min postexercise for 100% MLP. beta-EP concentrations at 36% MLP were significantly correlated (r = 0.75) with capillary density (mm-2), and cortisol concentrations at 36% MLP were significantly correlated (r = 0.89) with percentage of type II muscle fibers. No other significant relationships were observed. These data show that brief, high-intensity exercise up to maximal power production results in a nonlinear response pattern in peripheral blood hormone concentrations. Furthermore, blood lactate levels do not appear to be related to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal hormone plasma concentrations at high exercise intensities.

Prevention of lower extremity stress fractures: a controlled trial of a shock absorbent insole.

A prospective controlled trial was carried out to determine the usefulness of a viscoelastic polymer insole in prevention of stress fractures and stress reactions of the lower extremities. The subjects were 3,025 US Marine recruits who were followed for 12 weeks of training at Parris Island, South Carolina. Polymer and standard mesh insoles were systematically distributed in boots that were issued to members of odd and even numbered platoons. The most important finding was that an elastic polymer insole with good shock absorbency properties did not prevent stress reactions of bone during a 12-week period of vigorous physical training. To control for the confounding effects of running in running shoes, which occurred for about one and one-half hours per week for the first five weeks, we also examined the association of age of shoes and cost of shoes with injury incidence. A slight trend of increasing stress injuries by increasing age of shoes was observed. However, this trend did not account for the similarity of rates in the two insole groups. In addition, we observed a strong trend of decreasing stress injury rate by history of increasing physical activity, as well as a higher stress injury rate in White compared to Black recruits. The results of the trial were not altered after controlling for these factors. This prospective study confirms previous clinical reports of the association of stress fractures with physical activity history. The clinical application of a shock absorbing insole as a preventive for lower extremity stress reactions is not supported in these uniformly trained recruits. The findings are relevant to civilian populations.

Responses of plasma human atrial natriuretic factor to high intensity submaximal exercise in the heat.

No data exists regarding responses of human atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) to exercise in the heat. The purpose of this study was to examine the responses of plasma ANF to high intensity submaximal (71% +/- 0.9 VO2max) exercise in the heat over an eight day acclimation period. Fourteen healthy males volunteered to participate in the study. Subjects performed intermittent exercises on a treadmill (0% grade) during 50 min of each 100 min trial in an environmental chamber maintained at 41.2 +/- 0.5 degrees C, 39.0 +/- 1.7% relative humidity. Blood was obtained from an antecubital vein after standing 20 min in the heat prior to exercise, and immediately after exercise. Measures were compared on days 1, 4 and 8. ANF did not change pre- to post-exercise nor did it change over the eight day heat acclimation period despite other heat acclimation adaptations. Conversely, plasma aldosterone (ALDO), renin activity (PRA) and cortisol (COR) all increased (p less than 0.05) pre- to post-exercise on each day but again no changes were observed over the eight day period. These data support that ANF may not increase when ALDO and PRA increases are observed.