Summary
The effects of progressive strength training for 24 weeks on maximal strength and pituitary-thyroid function were studied in 21 males during the training and during the following detraining period of 12 weeks. Maximal strength increased greatly (p<0.001) in the first 20 weeks, followed by a plateau phase in the last 4 weeks of training. Maximal strength decreased greatly (p<0.001) during the detraining period. The concentrations of serum total (T4) and free thyroxine (fT4) decreased (p<0.05 and <0.01, respectively) during the training period and they rose to pretraining levels during the detraining period. During the most intense training phase (the last 4 weeks) there was a positive correlation between the changes in serum fT4 concentrations and the changes in maximal force (r=0.56; p<0.01). No statistically significant changes occurred in the levels of serum triiodothyronine, thyrotropin or thyroxine binding gobulin. The results show that prolonged intensified strength training can slightly decrease the concentrations of serum total and free T4. These small changes cannot have any clinical significance, and even their physiological significance may be only marginal.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aakvaag A, Sand T, Opstad PK, Fonnum F (1978) Hormonal changes in serum in young men during prolonged physical strain. Eur J Appl Physiol 39:283–291
Balsam A, Leppo LE (1975) Effect of physical training on the metabolism of thyroid hormones in man. J Appl Physiol 38:212–215
Boyden TW, Pamenter RW (1985) Exercise and the thyroid. In: Fortherby K, Pal SB (eds) Exercise endocrinology. Walter de Gruyter & Co, Berlin, pp 121–138
Boyden TW, Pamenter RW, Rotkis TC, Stanforth P, Wilmore JH (1984) Thyroidal changes associated with endurance training in women. Med Sci Sports Exerc 16:243–246
Boyden TW, Pamenter RW, Stanforth P, Rotkis T, Wilmore JH (1982) Evidence for mild thyroidal impairment in women undergoing endurance training. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 53:53–56
De Nayer Ph, Ostyn M, De Visscher M (1970) Effet de l'entrainement sur le taux de la thyroxine libre chez l'athlète. Ann D'Endocrinol 31:721–723
Hohtari H, Pakarinen A, Kauppila A (1987) Serum concentrations of thyrotropin, thyroxine, triiodothyronine and thyroxine binding globulin in female endurance runners and joggers. Acta Endocrinol (Copenh) 114:41–46
Häkkinen K, Pakarinen A, Alén M, Komi PV (1985) Serum hormones during prolonged training of neuromuscular performance. Eur J Appl Physiol 53:287–293
Irvine CHG (1968) Effect of exercise on thyroxine degradation in athletes and non-athletes. J Clin Endocrinol 28:942–948
Komi PV (1973) A new electromechanical ergometer. In: Hauser G, Mellerowitcz H (eds) 3. Internationales Seminar für Ergometrie. Ergon-Verlag, Berlin, pp 173–176
Marcus R, Cann C, Madvig P, Minkoff J, Goddard M, Bayer M, Martin M, Gaudiani L, Haskell W, Genant H (1985) Menstrual function and bone mass in elite women distance runners: endocrine and metabolic features. Ann Int Med 102:158–163
Robbins J, Rall JE (1967) The iodine-containing hormones. In: Gray CH, Bacharach AL (eds) Hormones in blood. Academic Press, New York, pp 383–490
Smallridge RC, Whorton NE, Burman KD, Ferguson EW (1985) Effects of exercise and physical fitness on the pituitary-thyroid axis and on prolactin secretion in male runners. Metabolism 34:949–954
Terjung RL, Winder WW (1975) Exercise and thyroid function. Med Sci Sports 7:20–26
Winder WW, Premachandra BN (1981) Thyroid hormones and muscular exercise. In: Poortmans J, Niset G (eds) Biochemistry of exercise IV-B. University Park Press, Baltimore, pp 131–140
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pakarinen, A., Alén, M., Häkkinen, K. et al. Serum thyroid hormones, thyrotropin and thyroxine binding globulin during prolonged strength training. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 57, 394–398 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00417982
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00417982