Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Endocrine response to intense interval exercise

European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology volume 66, pages 366–371 (1993)Cite this article

Summary

This investigation provides an insight into the physiological changes produced, and processes operating, during and after a typical interval exercise training regime. The role of interval exercise in the modulation of the plasma concentration of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and the hormones β-oestradiol, testosterone, prolactin and growth hormone was assessed. Eight trained male athletes [mean maximal oxygen uptake (\(\dot V\)O2max 64.3 (SD 3.8) ml·kg−1·min−1, mean age 31.5 (SD 4.5) years] undertook an intense interval exercise (treadmill running) protocol to exhaustion. Subjects completed an average of 15.6×1-min runs. This interval protocol produced significant increase in the plasma concentration of SHBG and all four hormones (all P<0.01) in the immediate post-test period. The plasma concentration of the hormones increased as indicated: β-oestradiol (45%), testosterone (38%), prolactin (230%), growth hormone (2000%). These hormones have an established capacity to interact with components of many physiological systems and, as such, may provide a mechanism for the changes induced by intense exercise in many of these systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Aldercreutz H, Harkonen M, Kuoppasalmi K, Kosunen K, Naveri H, Rehunen S (1976) Physical activity and hormones. Adv Cardiol 18:144–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson DC (1974) Sex hormone binding globulin. Clin Endocrinol 3:69–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Jonathan N (1985) Dopamine: a PRL inhibiting hormone. Endocr Rev 6:564–589

    Google Scholar 

  • Brisson GR, Ledoux M, Peronnet F, Dulac S, Decarufel D, Volle MA, Rainvillet J, Audet A (1981) Prolactinemia in exercising male athletes. Horm Res 15:218–223

    Google Scholar 

  • Brisson GR, Peronnet F, Ledoux M, Pellerin-Massicotte J, Matton P, Garceau F, Boisvert P (1986) Temperature-induced hyperprolactinemia during exercise. Horm Metab Res 18:283–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown WJ, McGinley R, Vining RF, White S (1980) The effect of endurance exercise on the serum concentrations of estradiol and testosterone in trained and untrained men and women. Proc Aust Physiol Pharmacol Soc 11:131

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunt JC, Boileau RA, Bahr JM, Nelson RA (1986) Sex and training differences in human growth hormone levels during prolonged exercise. J Appl Physiol 61:1796–1801

    Google Scholar 

  • Elias AN, Wilson AF, Pandian MR, Chune G, Utsumi A, Kayaleh R, Stone SC (1991) Corticotropin releasing hormone and gonadotropin secretion in physically active males after acute exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 62:171–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrell PA, Garthwaite TL, Gustafson AB (1983) Plasma adrenocortical and cortisol responses to submaximal and exhaustive exercise. J Appl Physiol 55:1441–1444

    Google Scholar 

  • Gala RD (1991) Prolactin and growth hormone in the regulation of the immune system. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 198:513–527

    Google Scholar 

  • Galbo H (1983) Hormonal and metabolic adaptations to exercise. Thieme, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Galbo H, Hummer L, Petersen IB, Christensen NJ, Bie N (1977) Thyroid and testicular hormone responses to graded and prolonged exercise in man. Eur J Appl Physiol 36:101–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganong WIT (1983) Review of medical physiology (11th edn.). Lange, Los Altos, pp 330, 336–369

    Google Scholar 

  • Godsland IF, Wynn V, Crook D, Miller NE (1987) Sex, plasma lipoproteins and atherosclerosis: prevailing assumptions and outstanding questions. Am Heart J 114:1467–1503

    Google Scholar 

  • Grossmann CJ (1984) Regulation of the immune system by sex steroids. Endocr Rev 5:435–455

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn AG, Pang PM, Tumilty DMcA, Telford RD (1988) General and specific aerobic power of elite marathon kayakers and canoeists. Excel 5:14–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansson G (1991) Oestrogen-induced enhancement of myeloperoxidase activity in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes — a possible cause of oxidative stress in inflammatory cells. Free Radic Res Comm 14:195–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Jurkowski JE, Jones NL, Walker WC, Younglai EV, Sutton JR (1978) Ovarian hormone responses to exercise. J Appl Physiol 44:109–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Karagiorgos A, Garcia J, Brooks GA (1979) Growth hormone response to continuous and intermittent exercise. Med Sci Sports 11:302–307

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelley KW (1989) Growth hormone, lymphocytes and macrophages. Biochem Pharmacol 38:705–713

    Google Scholar 

  • Keizer HA, Poortmans JR, Bunnik GS (1980) Influence of physical exercise on sex-hormone metabolism. J Appl Physiol 48:109–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Kindermann W, Schnabel A, Schmidt WM, Biro G, Cassens J, Weber F (1982) Catecholamine, growth hormone cortisol, insulin and sex hormones in anaerobic and aerobic exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 49:389–399

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuoppasalmi K, Naveri H, Harkonen M, Aldercreutz A (1980) Plasma cortisol, androstenedione, testosterone, and luteinizing hormone in running exercise of different intensities. Scand J Clin Invest 40:403–409

    Google Scholar 

  • Lassare C, Girard F, Durand J, Raynaud J (1974) Kinetics of human growth hormone during submaximal exercise. J Appl Physiol 37:826–830

    Google Scholar 

  • Shephard RJ, Sidney KH (1975) Effects of physical exercise on plasma growth hormone and cortisol levels in human subjects. In: Willmore JH, Keogh JF (eds) Exercise and sport science reviews. Academic Press, New York, pp 1–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Sowers JR, Raj RR, Hershman JM, Carlson HE, McCalleum RW (1977) The effect of stressful diagnostic studies and surgery on anterior pituitary hormone release in man. Acta Endocrinol 86:25–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutton JR, Coleman MJ, Casey J, Lazarus L (1973) Androgen responses during physical exercise. BMJ:520–522

  • Sutton JR, Coleman MJ, Casey JH (1976a) Testosterone production rate during exercise. International Congress of Physical Activity Science (abstract) Quebec, p: 72. Cited in: {au{fnJurkowski} {gnJE}}, {au{fnJones} {gnNL}}, {au{fnWalker} {gnWC}}, {au{fnYounglai} {gnEV}}, {au{fnSutton} {gnJR}} ({dy1978}) {atOvarian hormonal responses to exercise}. {jtJ Appl Physiol} {vn44}:{pp109-114}

  • Sutton JR, Jones NL, Toews CJ (1976b) Growth hormone secretion in acid-base alterations at rest and during exercise. Clin Sci Mol Med 50:241–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Telford RD (1991) Endurance training. In: Pyke ITS (ed) Better coaching: advanced coaches manual. Australian Coaching Council, Canberra, pp 125–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Beaumont W (1972) Evaluation of haemoconcentration from haematocrit measurements. J Appl Physiol 32:712–713

    Google Scholar 

  • Viru A (1985) Hormones in muscular activity. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkerson JE, Horvath SM, Gutin B (1980) Plasma testosterone during treadmill exercise. J Appl Physiol 49:249–253

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Australian National University, GPO Box 4, 2601, Canberra, A.C.T., Australia

    A. B. Gray & M. J. Weidemann

  2. Department of Physiology and Applied Nutrition, Australian Institute of Sport, P. O. Box 176, 2616, Belconnen, A.C.T., Australia

    R. D. Telford

Authors
  1. A. B. Gray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. D. Telford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. J. Weidemann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gray, A.B., Telford, R.D. & Weidemann, M.J. Endocrine response to intense interval exercise. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 66, 366–371 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00237784

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00237784

Key words

search

Navigation