Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 1992; 13(2): 103-109
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1021240
Physiology and Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Acute Hormonal Responses in Elite Junior Weightlifters

W. J. Kraemer1 , A. C. Fry1 , B. J. Warren2 , M. H. Stone2 , S. J. Fleck3 , J. T. Kearney3 , B. P. Conroy4 , C. M. Maresh4 , C. A. Weseman4 , N. T. Triplett1 , S. E. Gordon1
  • 1Center for Sports Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802 USA
  • 2Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, 28608 USA
  • 3Sports Science Division, U. S. Olympic Committee, Colorado Springs, CO, 80909 USA
  • 4Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Sport, Leisure, and Exercise Sciences, The University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06268 USA
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Also available at
  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

To date, no published studies have demonstrated resistance exercise-induced increases in serum testosterone in adolescent males. Furthermore, few data are available on the effects of training experience and lifting Performance on acute hormonal responses to weightlifting in young males. Twenty-eight junior elite male Olympic-style weightlifters (17.3±1.4 yrs) volunteered for the study. An acute weightlifting exercise protocol using moderate to high intensity loads and low volume, characteristic of many weightlifting training sessions, was examined. The exercise protocol was directed toward the training associated with the snatch lift weightlifting exercise. Blood samples were obtained from a superficial arm vein at 7 a. m. (for baseline measurements), and again at pre-exercise, 5 min post-, and 15 min post-exercise time points for determination of serum testosterone, cortisol, growth hormone, plasma β-endorphin, and whole blood lactate. The exercise protocol elicited significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases in each of the hormones and whole blood lactate compared to pre-exercise measures. While not being significantly older, subsequent analysis revealed that subjects with > 2 years training experience exhibited significant exercise-induced increases in serum testosterone from pre-exercise to 5 min post-exercise (16.2 + 6.2 to 21.4 + 7.9 nmol·l-1), while those with ≤ 2 years training showed no significant serum testosterone differences. None of the other hormones or whole blood lactate appear to be influenced by training experience. Exclusive from years of training, strength levels did not influence hormonal response patterns as lifters classified as strong showed no differential responses from those classified as weak as both groups demonstrated hormonal increases with acute exercise. These data suggest that training experience in elite adolescent weightlifters is most influential when examining the hypopituitary-gonadal training adaptations.

Key words

Testosterone - cortisol - growth hormone - β-endorphin - blood lactate - resistance exercise - strength - an-aerobic