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Active and passive recovery influence responses of luteinizing hormone and testosterone to a fatiguing strength loading

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute hormonal and muscular responses to a strenuous strength loading [bilateral leg press (LP) 10 × 10 1RM] followed by loading-specific active (AR, n = 7, LP 10 × 10 × 30% 1RM) or passive (PR, n = 11, seated) recovery. The subjects were men age: 26 ± 4 years, height: 174 ± 8 cm, body mass: 75 ± 13 kg. After control measurements, experimental measurements were conducted at pre- and post-loading as well as post-recovery and next morning. A significantly higher absolute concentration (p < 0.05) of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) was observed in AR than PR at next morning while no differences were observed in serum testosterone (T), cortisol (C) or sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Significant differences in relative hormonal responses to the loading were observed at next morning with greater responses observed in AR than in PR in terms of LH, and T (p < 0.05). Maximal bilateral isometric force (MVC) and countermovement jump height (CMJ) decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from the control measurements in both AR and PR but returned to control levels by next morning. No between-group differences were observed in mean absolute or relative changes in MVC or CMJ. From a hormonal perspective, the present AR method appears to have had some favorable effects following the strenuous strength loading; however, acute decreases in muscular force production did not significantly differ between groups. These results provide insight into the development of training programs that may help to support the performance of individuals involved in strenuous tasks.

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Abbreviations

AR:

Active recovery

C:

Cortisol

CMJ:

Countermovement jump

GH:

Growth hormone

IGF-1:

Insulin-like growth factor I

LH:

Luteinizing hormone

MVC:

Maximal bilateral isometric force

PR:

Passive recovery

SD:

Standard deviation

SHBG:

Sex hormone binding globulin

T:

Testosterone

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the technical staff of the University of Jyväskylä Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences Biology of Physical Activity group for their irreplaceable expertise and assistance in completing this project. We also wish to thank our hard working student researchers and the subjects who volunteered to participate in this study. We are thankful for funding from the Biology of Physical Activity group and the Finnish Defence Forces. Sheila S. Gagnon is supported in part by Western University’s Bone and Joint Institute and the Collaborative Training Program in Musculoskeletal Health Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology of Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

    R. S. Taipale, Heikki Kyröläinen, S. S. Gagnon, J. Ahtiainen & K. Häkkinen

  2. Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, National Defence University, Helsinki, Finland

    Heikki Kyröläinen

  3. Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Neuromuscular Research Laboratory/Warrior Human Performance Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203, USA

    B. Nindl

  4. Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

    S. S. Gagnon

  5. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, Kajaani, Finland

    R. S. Taipale

Authors
  1. R. S. Taipale
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  2. Heikki Kyröläinen
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  3. S. S. Gagnon
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  4. B. Nindl
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  5. J. Ahtiainen
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  6. K. Häkkinen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Heikki Kyröläinen.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Communicated by Fabio Fischetti.

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Taipale, R.S., Kyröläinen, H., Gagnon, S.S. et al. Active and passive recovery influence responses of luteinizing hormone and testosterone to a fatiguing strength loading. Eur J Appl Physiol 118, 123–131 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3753-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3753-3

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