Effect of training on GH and IGF-1 responses to a submaximal exercise in football players

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology 2005-12, Vol.95 (5-6), p.496-503
• Main Authors: Mejri, S, Bchir, F, Ben Rayana, M C, Ben Hamida, J, Ben Slama, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Adolescent; Adult; Blood Glucose; Exercise - physiology; Football; Growth Hormone - blood; Humans; Insulin; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 - blood; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - metabolism; Insulin-like growth factors; Lactic Acid - blood; Life Sciences; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Physical Education and Training - methods; Proteins
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-005-0007-6

To study the effects of regular football training on basal and exercise induced levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), 13 young football players were investigated by a submaximal exercise at the beginning of the sporting season in October (S1), at the middle of the season in January (S2) and at the end in May (S3). At each session, an exercise test on an ergogycle was performed for 25 min, beginning with an incremental exercise to reach 90% of theoretical maximal heart, which was maintained for the last 10 min of the test. Venous blood samples were collected at rest, at the end of the exercise and at 30 and 60 min during the recovery period. Plasma lactate and glucose concentrations increased during exercise with no difference found between sessions. GH level increased with exercise at each session but the response was significantly higher in S1 than in S2 and S3 (P