Serum hormones in male strength athletes during intensive short term strength training (original) (raw)

Summary

Training-induced adaptations in the endocrine system and strength development were investigated in nine male strength athletes during two separate 3-week intensive strength training periods. The overall amount of training in the periods was maintained at the same level. In both cases the training in the first 2 weeks was very intensive: this was followed by a 3rd week when the overall amount of training was greatly decreased. The two training periods differed only in that training period I included one daily session, while during the first 2 weeks of period II the same amount of training was divided between two daily sessions. In general, only slight and statistically insignificant changes occurred during training period I in mean concentrations of serum hormones examined or sex hormone-binding globulin as well as in maximal isometric leg extensor force. However, during training period II after 2 weeks of intensive strength training a significant decrease (P<0.05) was observed in serum free testosterone concentration [from 98.4 (SD 24.5) to 83.8 (SD 14.7) pmol · l−1] during the subsequent week of reduced training. No change in the concentration of total testosterone was observed. This training phase was also accompanied by significant increases (P<0.05) in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and cortisol concentrations. After 2 successive days of rest serum free testosterone and LH returned to (P<0.05) their basal concentrations. Training period II led also to a significant increase (P<0.05) [from 3942 (SD 767) to 4151 (SD 926) N] in maximal force. These findings suggest that in male strength athletes dividing the amount of training into smaller units may create more effective training stimuli leading to further strength development.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
   K. Häkkinen
2. Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
   A. Pakarinen

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1. K. Häkkinen
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2. A. Pakarinen
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Häkkinen, K., Pakarinen, A. Serum hormones in male strength athletes during intensive short term strength training.Eur J Appl Physiol 63, 194–199 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00233847

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• Accepted: 24 May 1991
• Issue Date: October 1991
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00233847

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