Effect of aerobic training on the plasma ACTH response to exercise (original) (raw)

A previous study has shown that plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion during submaximal exercise is increased following training. This finding is in contrast to studies of other hormones such as glucagon, epinephrine and growth hormone, all of which show decreases following training. This study reexamines the effect of training on plasma ACTH levels during exercise. Ten adult volunteers were split into a control and an exercise group. The exercise group underwent a 12 week training program consisting of running 3.5 kilometers per day, three days per week. Before and after the training program all subjects were tested for plaesm ACTH response to a 150 Watt workload for 15 minutes. The experimental group showed an 11% increase in Hex Vo 2 following training while the control group's Max Vo 2 was unchanged. The experimental group's ACTS response to the submaximal workload was decreased 63% (p<O.O5). while the control group's response was unchanged. These data suggest that the ACTH response to exercise is blunted following training. This response is similar to that of other hormones such as glucagon. epinephrine and growth hormone. Such a finding is in agreement with previous studies that have shown that ACTH follows an intensity dependent pattern during exercise.