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The purpose of this study was to compare blood markers associated with eccentrically biased exercise and muscle damage, after two bouts of downhill running. Nine active, untrained males performed 2 x 45 min bouts of downhill running (-0.16 radians), at a speed that would elicit 70% of each subjects VO2max, on a level grade; runs were spaced 14d apart (RUN1, RUN2). Blood samples were obtained before, after, and every hour for 12 h after exercise, as well as every 24 h for 5 d, to assess numbers of circulating neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes, serum cortisol, creatine kinase (CK); subjective sensations of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were monitored. To control for diurnal variation, two weeks prior to the RUN1, subjects had blood draws performed at the same time as would occur after exercise, but did no exercise (CONTROL). During the 5 d after exercise, DOMS and CK were significantly greater (p < 0.05) after RUN1 compared to RUN2 and CONTROL. During the 12 h after RUN1 and RUN2, neutrophils showed similar responses compared to CONTROL. However, neutrophils were significantly elevated at 96 h after RUN1 and 24 h after RUN2. Monocytes were significantly elevated during 5-11 h after RUN1 and RUN2, compared to CONTROL. Cortisol showed a similar significant diurnal decrease for all three conditions during the 12 h following exercise. The significantly lower levels of CK and DOMS seen after RUN2, compared with the initial run is consistent with the literature. The similar changes in neutrophils and monocytes during the 12 h following RUN1 and RUN2, followed by disparate responses over the subsequent 5 d, requires further investigation.

This study examined the relationship between the peak running velocity (PRV) obtained during a horizontal, incremental treadmill test and distance running performance in a group of highly-trained male (N = 14) and female (N = 9) distance runners. Performance (5 km run time) was assessed with a self-paced time trial under laboratory conditions in an attempt to minimize extraneous variables which could affect performance (i.e. environmental conditions, terrain, etc.); relationships with recent best 5 km race time were also determined. PRV was highly related to 5 km performance whether determined from the time trial (r2 = 0.94, p < 0.001) or recent race (r2 = 0.89, p < 0.001). A new finding was that PRV was similarly related to performance in both the male (r2 = 0.83, p < 0.001) and female (r2 = 0.80, p < 0.001) athletes. Peak running velocity is thus highly predictive of distance running performance in highly-trained endurance runners. This finding has important practical implications, as PRV can be measured without extensive metabolic equipment and/or invasive techniques.

An increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with a reduced plasma androgen concentration in men. The purpose of the present study was to determine if plasma testosterone (T), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentration were altered with an exercise training program which reduced CAD risk. Thirteen men (mean +/- SE, age 47.2 +/- 1.5 yrs) were examined before and after 14 weeks of endurance-oriented physical training (3-4 days/week, 30-45 min/day). There were no changes in basal plasma T, SHBG and DHEAS concentration despite a significant (p < 0.05) increase in insulin sensitivity, plasma HDL cholesterol, and a decrease in plasma triglyceride and adiposity. Exercise training thus appears to reduce CAD risk irrespective of androgen concentration in men.

This study examined if measures associated with distance running performance were affected by short-term (14 d) training cessation in 12 distance runners. VO2max decreased by approximately 3 ml.kg-1.min-1 (mean +/- SE, 61.6 +/- 2.0 vs 58.7 +/- 1.8 ml.kg-1.min-1, p < 0.05) with training cessation. Time to exhaustion (TTE) during the incremental VO2max test decreased by 1.2 min (13.0 +/- 0.5 vs 11.8 +/- 0.5 min, p < 0.001) and maximal heart rate increased (p < 0.001) by 9 beats per minute (BPM). No changes in running economy (75 and 90% VO2max) were evident, although submaximal heart rate increased by 11 BPM (p < 0.001) at both running speeds. Other evidence for detraining were decreases in estimated resting plasma volume (-5.1 +/- 1.9%) and muscle citrate synthase activity (-25.3 +/- 2.6%, p < 0.05). Muscular atrophy (muscle fiber cross-sectional area) was not evident. TTE and submaximal heart rate exhibited relatively large percent changes (-9 and +6%, respectively) compared to VO2max (-4%). These findings indicate that the reduction in VO2max with short-term training cessation is relatively small. TTE and submaximal heart rate may be easily measured, yet more sensitive indicators of decrements in distance running performance.

The purpose of this study was to determine if prior physical activity (warm-up) affected physiological responses to intense exercise. Eight highly trained collegiate swimmers performed a paced 365.8-m (440 yds) intense swim (mean +/- SE, 94.4 +/- 3.3% VO2max) 5 min after the following warm-up conditions: trial N, no warm-up; trial S, an intensity-specific interval set (4 x 45.7 m with one-min rest intervals at the intense swim pace); trial M, a mild-intensity, long-duration swim (1371.6 m at 64.7 +/- 3.3% VO2max); and trial MS, a mild-intensity, long-duration swim (1188.7 m at the same pace as trial M) followed by the intensity-specific interval set (trial S). When comparing trial N with trials M and MS, stroke distance (m/stroke) was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower during the last 91.4 m of the intense, paced swim and 3-, 5-, 8- and 10-min recovery blood lactate levels and one-minute recovery heart rates were significantly elevated (p less than 0.05). There was no significant difference (p greater than 0.05) in stroke distance during the final 91.4 m of the intense swim between trials S and N. There were no significant differences for any variables between trials M and MS. These results suggest that a warm-up consisting of mild-intensity, long-duration exercise was beneficial compared to no warm-up and that intensity-specific exercise was not a vital component of warm-up. Although performance was not directly measured, these data demonstrate the benefit of warm-up.

Despite similar rates of energy expenditure during training, it has been suggested that swimmers store greater amounts of body fat than runners. To investigate these discrepancies, eight male swimmers (S) and runners (R) were monitored during 45 min of swimming or running (75% VO2max), respectively, and six triathletes were monitored during swimming (ST) and running (RT). Each group was also monitored during two hours of recovery. Venous blood samples were obtained before exercise, immediately after exercise (0 min) and at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min of recovery. These samples were analyzed for glucose, lactate, glycerol, free fatty acids (FFA), insulin, glucagon, norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E). Expired gases and heart rates (HR) were obtained during exercise and also during recovery. The caloric cost of recovery was similar, but the RER results suggested increased fat oxidation during recovery for the S and the ST. Serum glucose was greater (P less than 0.05) immediately after exercise for R (6.71 +/- 0.29 mmol/l) and RT (6.40 +/- 0.26) compared to the S (4.97 +/- 0.19) and ST (4.87 +/- 0.18), and was significantly elevated for the initial 30 min of recovery. FFA were similar throughout the recovery period; however, blood glycerol was greater immediately after exercise (0 min) for R compared to S (NS) and was significantly elevated after exercise (0 min) for RT compared to ST. Differences in blood glucose or fat release were not explained by differences in NE or E; however, the glucacon-to-insulin ratio was significantly greater after exercise in the S and ST compared to the R and RT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ten runners were studied to determine whether selected blood measures were useful indices of the metabolic stress associated with intense training and dietary carbohydrate (CHO) deficiency. The runners performed two diet/training regimens, involving 5 repeated days of intense training approximately 80 min/d, approximately 80% VO2max) and dietary CHO control (8.0 g.kg-1.d-1, EQ-CHO; 3.9 g.kg-1.d-1, LO-CHO). Resting blood samples were obtained after a 3-day control period, after 3 and 5 days of intense training, and after 3 days of rest. Resting uric acid levels were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) after 3 and 5 days of training during the LO-CHO vs EQ-CHO regimen (353 +/- 21 vs 309 +/- 24, and 345 +/- 26 vs 302 +/- 26 mol.l-1, respectively). Resting thyroxine (T4) levels were higher (P less than 0.05) after 5 days of training during the LO-CHO vs EQ-CHO regimen (102.2 +/- 6.2 vs 83.7 +/- 4.5 nmol.l-1, respectively). While creatine kinase levels were elevated after both regimens (P less than 0.05), there was no difference between regimens. Serum cortisol (C) levels were reduced by 10% for both regimens (P less than 0.05), possibly due to an expansion in plasma volume (7.6 and 7.3% for the LO-CHO and EQ-CHO regimens, respectively). Resting FFA levels were increased (P less than 0.05) during both regimens, but there was no difference between the regimens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of ingesting 5.0 (CHO-5), 6.0 (CHO-6), and 7.5 g/100 ml (CHO-7.5) carbohydrate (CHO) solutions on blood glucose and counterregulatory hormonal responses during prolonged intermittent exercise. Eight well-trained cyclists performed four trials consisting of seven 12-min cycling bouts at 70% of VO2max with 3 min rest between each ride. A final 12 min ride was an all-out self-paced performance ride. During the rest interval the subjects ingested either a water placebo (WP) or one of the CHO solutions at a rate of 8.5 mg/kg/h (approx. 150 ml). Blood samples were taken at 0, 25, 55, 85, and 115 min of exercise and were assayed for glucose, glucagon (GG), cortisol (CT), insulin (IN), epinephrine (EP), and norepinephrine (NE). Blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the WP trial compared to the CHO trials at 25 (4.6 +/- 0.2 vs 5.7 +/- 0.5 mmol/l) and 55 min (4.4 +/- 0.3 vs 5.0 +/- 0.8 mmol/l). At 85 min blood glucose was significantly lower in the WP compared to the CHO-6 and CHO-7.5 trials. GG and IN levels were not significantly different between trials; however, the GG:IN molar ratio was significantly higher in the WP than in the CHO-7.5 trial. CT was significantly elevated in the WP trial compared to the CHO-7.5 trial. EP and NE levels were not affected by CHO ingestion. These data suggest that CHO feedings prevent the typical hormonal responses which are responsible for hepatic glucose release, thus eliciting a possible hepatic glycogen sparing.

The purpose of this study was to examine if reduced training would reestablish normal testosterone, cortisol, and creatine kinase (CK) levels in male distance runners. Ten male runners (mean +/- SE) age 32.0 +/- 2.6 yrs, body fat 9.6 +/- 1.0%, VO2max 61.8 +/- 1.1 ml/kg/min) were monitored during 4 weeks of normal training (baseline training, BT) and 3 weeks of reduced training (RT). During BT running distance averaged 81 +/- 5 km/week, 6 days/week. During RT the runners reduced weekly training volume by 70% of BT to 24 +/- 2 km/week and training frequency to 5 days/week. Weekly resting blood samples were obtained between 0600-0900 hrs after an overnight fast. During BT resting total testosterone levels averaged 5.10 +/- 0.21 ng/ml, which is within the low ranges previously reported in male distance runners. Testosterone levels were not affected by RT (avg of 5.38 +/- 0.31 ng/ml). Cortisol levels were in the high range of normal during BT (23.61 +/- 1.18 ug/dl) and were not altered with RT (avg of 23.14 +/- 1.56 ug/dl). Creatine kinase was elevated (168 +/- 15 U/L) during BT and was significantly reduced (P less than 0.001) at weeks 1-3 of RT (avg of 99 +/- 9 U/L). These results suggest that normally training male runners have low resting total testosterone levels and cortisol levels in the high-normal range. Resting testosterone and cortisol were not responsive to the training reduction. Creatine kinase appears to be sensitive to relative changes in training.

This investigation examined endurance runners during a 3-week reduction in training volume and frequency. Ten well-conditioned runners were monitored for 4 weeks while training at their normal weekly training distance (mean +/- SE) (81 +/- 5 km/week, 6 days/week). This period was designated as baseline training (BT). Sixty km/week were run at approximately 75% VO2max, and the remainder (21 km/week) at approximately 95% VO2max in the form of intervals and races. The runners then reduced weekly training volume (RT) by 70% of BT to 24 +/- 2 km/week and frequency by 17% to 5 days/week for 3 weeks. During RT 17 km/week was performed at approximately 75% VO2max and the remainder (7 km/week) at approximately 95% VO2max (intervals and races). The runners were tested weekly and performed 5-km races on a 200-m indoor track during Bt and after 2 and 3 weeks of RT. Maximal heart rate (HR) increased (P less than 0.05) by approximately 4 beats/min at RT week 3, which may have been associated with a decrease in estimated plasma volume (P less than 0.01) of 5.62 +/- 0.43%. Time to exhaustion during the VO2max tests increased (P less than 0.05) by 9.5% at RT week 3. No significant (P greater than 0.05) changes occurred with RT in body weight, % body fat, overall 5 km race times, VO2max, muscular power (vertical leap and Margaria power test), and citrate synthase activity (at 2 weeks of RT). No alterations in venous lactate, energy expenditure, and HR were observed during submaximal running at two speeds (approximately 65% and 85% VO2max) with RT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of a reduction in training volume (RT) (8 km/day, 5 days/wk, for 10 days) in five highly trained collegiate distance runners. The subjects were tested midseason (MS) (110 km/wk), after a 10-day taper (80 km/wk) and subsequent championship meet (post-championship, PC), and post RT. PC data represent the runners at their peak performance capacity. Maximal oxygen consumption, maximal heart rate (HR), and time to exhaustion during the max tests, as measured at PC and RT, were not altered. Other parameters were measured for all conditions. No changes were observed in body weight and percent body fat (p greater than 0.05). Submaximal treadmill runs (TR) at 265 and 298 m/min revealed no alterations in VO2 submax, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), HR and 2-min post-run lactate levels (p greater than 0.05). The HR during a 6-min track run (265 m/min) significantly increased (p less than 0.001) by 10 bts/min with RT vs MS and PC, which may be a result of mechanical or psychological changes. After RT, 1-min recovery HR (HRr) for the track run and 1- and 2-min post-TR were significantly elevated by 16, 12, and 12 bts/min, respectively. It is not apparent what role HRr serves as an indicator of fitness level and performance capability during reduced training. These results suggest that the reduced training program used did not sufficiently diminish nor improve aerobic capacity in highly trained distance runners.

Reduced training is most frequently employed by swimmers prior to an important competition. To investigate what occurs during reduced training in runners, ten well-trained adult male distance runners trained for 4 weeks at their baseline training distance (BT), followed by a 3-week period of a 70% reduction in training volume (RT). At the same time each week the subjects completed the Profile of Moods States (POMS) and Physical Self-Efficacy Scale (PSES). Overall and leg ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were given each week while running at two consistent speeds on a motor-driven treadmill. Responses to the POMS, PSES, and Sport Competition Anxiety Test were also obtained prior to 5-km races during BT and RT. Pre-race and weekly global mood state was improved (less negative) during RT. Pre-race vigor decreased significantly (P less than 0.01) at RT week 2 as compared with BT, and then increased significantly (P less than 0.01) at RT week 3 as compared with week 2. Pre-race tension decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) at RT week 3. A significant (P less than 0.01) drop in testing day fatigue occurred at RT week 1 as compared with BT. Reduced RPEs were also noted during RT weeks 2 and 3 at the slower running speed. No differences were found for competition anxiety or physical self-efficacy. Racing performance remained constant throughout the study. These results suggest that the subjects were unaccustomed to RT, but maintained a positive mood state particularly when it was realized that performance capability was unaltered.