Hormonal Responses to Endurance Training and Overtraining in Female Athletes

Abstract

Abstract:Objective: To examine different hormonal responses to heavy endurance training and overtraining in female athletes.Design: Submaximal and maximal treadmill tests, selfreport mood measures, and stress hormone analyses were repeated at baseline, after 4 weeks and at the end of 6 to 9 weeks of experimental intensive training and after 4 to 6 weeks of recovery. Subjects: Fifteen healthy female endurance athletes increased their intensive training volume by 130% and base training volume by 100% (ETG, n = 9) or served as controls (CG, n = 6).Main Outcome Measures: Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max)' mood dynamics, blood catecholamines, cortisol and testosterone at rest and after submaximal and maximal exercise, and nocturnal urine catecholamines.Results: Five females from the ETG demonstrated an overtraining state (OA subgroup) at the end of the training period. Their VO2m~ decreased (mean :!: SEM) from 53.0 :t 2.2 ml.kg-1.min-(range. 46.8-59.2) to 50.2:!: 2.3 ml.kg-1.min-1 (range, 43.8-56.6) (p < 0.01). Maximal treadmill performance expressed as oxygen demand decreased (mean :t SEM) from 56.0:t 1.6 ml.kg-l.min-l (range. 51.5-60.5) to 52.2:r. 1.1 mI.kg-l.min-1 (range, 49.1-55.3) (p < 0.01). Maximal heart rate also decreased (mean :t SEM) from 190 :t I bpm (range, 185-197) to 186 :t 2 bpm (range, 184-193) (p < 0.05), and the athletes experienced mood disturbances. Plasma adrenaline levels at maximal and noradrenaline at submaximal work rate decreased during the last 2 to 5 training weeks (p < 0.05), and serum cortisol levels at maximal work rate decreased during the first 4 training weeks (p < 0.05) in the ETG. Plasma adrenaline at maximal work rate decreased during the f1r8t 4 training weeks (p < 0.05) in the OA subgroup. There were no changes in the ca. Individual hormonal response types to heavy training and overtraining were found.Conclusions: Hormone responses to exercise load are superior in indicating heavy training-induced stress when compared with resting hOrmone levels. These responses indicated decreased sympathoadrenal and/or adrenocortical activity (or exhaustion of the adrenal gland or the central nervous system). Individual hormonal profiles are needed to follow up training effects. Marked individual differences were found in trainingand overtraining-induced hormonal changes.

Sex‐specific characteristics of cardiac function, geometry, and mass in young adult elite athletes

“…In our study, we did not document androgen and estrogen levels in sedentary controls and athletes. Therefore, a change of the hormonal balance due to extensive training in male and female athletes contributing to the lack of sex-specific cardiac changes cannot be ruled out (29,30).…”

Changes in cell free DNA during a college soccer season

“…For instance, testosterone, cortisol and T:C ratio in endurance athletes have not shown to respond consistently to increased or decreased training load or when overreached and overtrained. [31][32][33][34][35] There are also inconsistencies in resistance trained individuals. 36 The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in cf-DNA and other commonly used biochemical markers throughout a collegiate soccer season in order to examine the utility of cf-DNA as a potential variable to be included in a LTAMP for NCAA Division I collegiate soccer.…”

Cell free DNA as a marker of training status in weightlifters

“…However, the literature offers mixed conclusions about whether T, C and T:C respond consistently to training volume and intensity. For example, among well-trained experienced athletes, short-term increases VL can be accompanied by increases in T and T:C [32] and endurance athletes have not responded consistently to increased or decreased training load, or when overreached or overtrained [33][34][35][36]. In this study, T, C or T:C were not statistically different at any time and were not related to measures of VLD or TID.…”