Summary
Plasma met-enkephalin, β-endorphin, cortisol and lactic acid concentrations were measured in seventeen volunteer male subjects at rest and after a long-distance nordic ski race. Immediately after the race, mean plasma met-enkephalin did not show any significant change, but significant rises in β-endorphin, cortisol and lactic acid were noted in all skiers. The change in β-endorphin with exercise was significantly related to the change in cortisol (r=0.68;p<0.001) and to the change in plasma lactic acid (r=0.60;p<0.001). Furthermore, the experienced skiers training over 150 km · week−1 of nordic ski had significantly faster skiing times in this event and showed greater β-endorphin, cortisol and lactic acid levels than the recreational skiers who trained for 20 km · week−1. Our results imply that the changes in plasma β-endorphin depend on the intensity of exercise. However the significance of higher levels of skiing training or previous nordic ski experience in the release of β-endorphin is expected and cannot be excluded.
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Mougin, C., Baulay, A., Henriet, M.T. et al. Assessment of plasma opioid peptides, β-endorphin and met-enkephalin, at the end of an international nordic ski race. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 56, 281–286 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00690893
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00690893