Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Growth Hormone, Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1, Testosterone and Cortisol Responses to a Single Bout of Agility Ladder Exercise (ALE) in Water Polo Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Field Trial

  • Published:
Human Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Agility ladder exercise (ALE) is a very diverse and popular activity for athletes in different disciplines. In the water polo field, ALE is used to observe the variation principle of training in non-specialized sessions and off-season sessions and for athletes with upper extremity injuries who cannot be in the pool. The present study, for the first time, investigated the acute response of growth hormones (GH), testosterone, insulin-like growth factor1 (IGF)-1, cortisol, and testosterone/cortisol (T/C) ratio following an ALE session in male water polo athletes. Using a randomized, double-blind controlled field trial, thirty male water polo athletes were divided into control (n = 15) and exercise (n = 15) groups. The exercise group performed ALE after warm-up and after that performed cool-down, while the control group just performed warm-up and cool down. Blood samples were taken 2 h before the ALE session, as well as immediately, 24, and 48 h after the ALE. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), and p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. The results showed that serum concentrations of GH (p = 0.001), IGF-I (p = 0.001), testosterone (p = 0.001), cortisol (p = 0.001), and T/C ratio (p = 0.02) significantly increased immediately after ALE. All changes returned to baseline within 24 h after exercise. In conclusion, anabolic hormones (GH, IGF1, and testosterone) in athletes responded appropriately to ALE. Although there was an increase in cortisol, it was low compared to the increase in testosterone. Therefore, a single session of ALE seems to have a positive physiological response in water polo athletes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Pratama, N., Mintarto, E., and Kusnanik, N., The influence of ladder drills and jump rope exercise towards speed, agility, and power of limb muscle, IOSR J. Sports Phys. Educ., 2018, vol. 5, no. 1, p. 22.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Moradi, A., Sadri Damirchi, E., Narimani, M., et al., Association between physical and motor fitness with cognition in children, Medicina, 2019, vol. 55, no. 1, p. 7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Spiteri, T., McIntyre, F., Specos, C., and Myszka, S., Cognitive training for agility: the integration between perception and action, Strength Cond. J., 2018, vol. 40, no. 1, p. 39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Robert, S.K.N., Cheung, C.W., and Raymond, K.W.S., Effects of 6-week agility ladder drills during recess intervention on dynamic balance performance, J. Phys. Educ. Sport, 2017, vol. 17, no. 1, p. 306.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Gomez-Pinilla, F. and Hillman, C., The influence of exercise on cognitive abilities, Compr. Physiol., 2013, vol. 3, no. 1, p. 403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Ross, J., Miller, L., and Deuster, P.A., Cognitive agility as a factor in human performance optimization, J. Spec. Oper. Med., 2018, vol. 18, no. 3, p. 86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Cadegiani, F.A. and Kater, C.E., Hormonal aspects of overtraining syndrome: a systematic review, BMC Sports Sci. Med. Rehabil., 2017, vol. 9, no. 1, p. 14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Azarbayjani, M.A., Dalvand, H., Fatolahi, H., et al., Responses of salivary cortisol and α-amylase to official competition, J. Hum. Sport Exercise, 2011, vol. 6, no. 2, p. 7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Azarbayjani, M.A., Fatolahi, H., Rasaee, M.J., et al., The effect of exercise mode and intensity of sub-maximal physical activities on salivary testosterone to cortisol ratio and alpha-amylase in young active males, Int. J. Exercise Sci., 2011, vol. 4, no. 4, p. 283.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Dehghan, F., Khodaei, F., Afshar, L., et al., Effect of competition on stress salivary biomarkers in elite and amateur female adolescent inline skaters, Sci. Sports, 2019, vol. 34, no. 1. e37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Oyola, M.G. and Handa, R.J., Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes: sex differences in regulation of stress responsivity, Stress, 2017, vol. 20, no. 5, p. 476.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Braun, T.P. and Marks, D.L., The regulation of muscle mass by endogenous glucocorticoids, Front.Physiol., 2015, vol. 6, p. 12.

  13. Giustina, A., Mazziotti, G., and Canalis, E., Growth hormone, insulin-like growth factors, and the skeleton, Endocr. Rev., 2008, vol. 29, no. 5, p. 535.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Velloso, C.P., Regulation of muscle mass by growth hormone and IGF-I, Br. J. Pharmacol., 2008, vol. 154, no. 3, p. 557.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Martinez-Moreno, C.G., Calderon-Vallejo, D., Harvey, S., et al., Growth hormone (GH) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the central nervous system: a potential neurological combinatory therapy? Int. J. Mol. Sci., 2018, vol. 19, no. 2, p. 375.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Gibney, J., Healy, M.L., and Sonksen, P.H., The growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I axis in exercise and sport, Endocr. Rev., 2007, vol. 28, no. 6, p. 603.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Varrik, E., Viru, A., Oopik, V., and Viru, M., Exercise-induced catabolic responses in various muscle fibres, Can. J. Sport Sci., 1992, vol. 17, no. 2, p. 125.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Wood, R.I. and Stanton, S.J., Testosterone and sport: current perspectives, Horm. Behav., 2012, vol. 61, no. 1, p. 147.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Luccia, T.P.B.D., Use of the testosterone/cortisol ratio variable in sports, Open Sports Sci. J., 2016, vol. 9, p. 104.

  20. Godfrey, R.J., Madgwick, Z., and Whyte, G.P., The exercise-induced growth hormone response in athletes, Sports. Med., 2003, vol. 33, no. 8, p. 599.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Laron, Z., Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1): a growth hormone, Mol. Pathol., 2001, vol. 54, no. 5, p. 311.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Salgueiro, R.B., Peliciari-Garcia, R.A., do Carmo Buonfiglio, D., et al., Lactate activates the somatotropic axis in rats, Growth Horm. IGF Res., 2014, vol. 24, no. 6, p. 268.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Godfrey, R.J., Whyte, G.P., Buckley, J., and Quinlivan, R., The role of lactate in the exercise-induced human growth hormone response: evidence from McArdle disease, Br. J. Sports Med., 2009, vol. 43, no. 7, p. 521.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Li, W.S., Lin, H.R., and Wong, A.O., Effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone on growth hormone secretion and gene expression in common carp pituitary, Comp. Biochem. Physiol., Part B: Biochem. Mol. Biol., 2002, vol. 132, no. 2, p. 335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Gordon, S.E., Kraemer, W.J., Vos, N.H., et al., Effect of acid-base balance on the growth hormone response to acute high-intensity cycle exercise, J. Appl. Physiol., 1994, vol. 76, no. 2, p. 821.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Lim, C.T., Khoo, B., Normal Physiology of ACTH and GH Release in the Hypothalamus and Anterior Pituitary in Man, in: Endotext, Feingold, K.R, Anawalt, B., Boyce, A., Chrousos, G., Dungan, K., Grossman, A., et al., Eds., MDText.com: South Dartmouth (MA), 2020.

  27. Fridlyand, L.E., Tamarina, N.A., Schally, A.V., and Philipson, L.H., Growth hormone-releasing hormone in diabetes, Front. Endocrinol., 2016, vol. 7, p. 129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Di Blasio, A., Izzicupo, P., Tacconi, L., et al., Acute and delayed effects of high intensity interval resistance training organization on cortisol and testosterone production, J. Sports Med. Phys. Fitness, 2016, vol. 56, no. 3, p. 192.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Raastad, T., Bjoro, T., Hallen, J. Hormonal responses to high- and moderate-intensity strength exercise, Eur. J. Appl. Physiol., 2000, vol. 82, nos. 1−2, p. 121.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Boucher, P. and Plusquellec, P., Acute stress assessment from excess cortisol secretion: fundamentals and perspectives, Front. Endocrinol., 2019, vol. 10, p. 749.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Esbjornsson Liljedahl, M., Holm, I., Sylven, C., and Jansson, E., Different responses of skeletal muscle following sprint training in men and women, Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. Occup. Physiol., 1996, vol. 74, no. 4, p. 375.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Esbjornsson-Liljedahl, M., Sundberg, C.J., No-rman, B., and Jansson, E., Metabolic response in type I and type II muscle fibers during a 30-s cycle sprint in men and women, J. Appl. Physiol., 1999, vol. 87, no. 4, p. 1326.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Casanova, N., Palmeira, D.E.O.A., Pereira, A., et al., Cortisol, testosterone and mood state variation during an official female football competition, J. Sports. Med. Phys. Fitness, 2016, vol. 56, no. 6, p. 775.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Chennaoui, M., Bougard, C., Drogou, C., et al., Stress biomarkers, mood states, and sleep during a major competition: “success” and “failure” athlete’s profile of high-level swimmers, Front. Physiol., 2016, vol. 7, p. 94.

  35. Tanner, A. and Day, S., The effects of a 4-week, intensified training, and competition period on salivary hormones, immunoglobulin A, illness symptoms, and mood state in elite synchronised swimmers, Sports (Basel), 2017, vol. 5, no. 3, p. 64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to express their heartiest thanks to the participants whose participation made this study possible.

Funding

Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Iran.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise Physiology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    M. Mirazizi

  2. Department of Physical Education, Pardis Branch, Islamic Azad University, Pardis, Iran

    S. Rahmati-Ahmadabad & H. Fatolahi

Authors
  1. M. Mirazizi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Rahmati-Ahmadabad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H. Fatolahi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Rahmati-Ahmadabad.

Ethics declarations

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTIONS

The present study is the result of a master’s thesis. SRA (supervisor) conceived and designed this study. MM (master student) and HF (advisor) collected the materials and performed the experiments. SRA and MM analyzed the data. MM wrote the first draft of the manuscript. SRA and HF revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mirazizi, M., Rahmati-Ahmadabad, S. & Fatolahi, H. Growth Hormone, Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1, Testosterone and Cortisol Responses to a Single Bout of Agility Ladder Exercise (ALE) in Water Polo Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Field Trial. Hum Physiol 48, 732–739 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0362119722320020

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0362119722320020

Keywords:

Search

Navigation