Training increases anabolic response and reduces inflammatory response to a single practice in elite male adolescent volleyball players

J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2012;25(9-10):875-80. doi: 10.1515/jpem-2012-0094.

Abstract

We examined the effect of training on hormonal and inflammatory response to a single volleyball practice in elite adolescent players. Fourteen male, elite, national team-level, Israeli volleyball players (age, 16.3±1.1 years, Tanner stage 4-5) participated in the study. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after a typical 60-min volleyball practice, before and after 7 weeks of training during the initial phases of the volleyball season. Hormonal measurements included the anabolic hormones growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), IGF-binding protein 3, and testosterone; the catabolic hormone cortisol; the pro-inflammatory markers interleukin (IL) 6, and the anti-inflammatory marker IL-1 receptor antagonist. Training led to a significant improvement of both anaerobic and aerobic properties. Before the training intervention, the typical volleyball practice was associated with a significant increase of GH and testosterone and also with a significant increase of IL-6. Training resulted in a significantly greater GH response (ΔGH, 2.5±2.4 vs. 4.7±3.0 ng/mL, before and after training, respectively; p<0.02) and reduced IL-6 response (ΔIL-6, 2.0±1.6 vs. 0.6±0.7 pg/mL, before and after training, respectively; p<0.01) to the same relative intensity volleyball practice. The results suggest that, along with the improvement of anaerobic and aerobic characteristics, training leads to a greater anabolic and reduced inflammatory response to exercise.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Exercise*
  • Human Growth Hormone / blood
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / blood
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Male
  • Testosterone / blood
  • Volleyball

Substances

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
  • Interleukin-6
  • Human Growth Hormone
  • Testosterone
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I