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Int J Sports Med 2007; 28(5): 401-406
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-924366
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Hormonal Responses after a Strength Endurance Resistance Exercise Protocol in Young and Elderly Males

I. Smilios1 , T. Pilianidis1 , M. Karamouzis2 , A. Parlavantzas1 , S. P. Tokmakidis1
  • 1Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece
  • 2Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: May 10, 2006

Publication Date:
06 October 2006 (online)

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Abstract

This study examined testosterone, cortisol and growth hormone responses in elderly and young men after a strength endurance protocol. Eight elderly (age: 69 ± 5 yrs) and nine young (age: 23 ± 1 yrs) males with recreational experience in resistance training performed a strength endurance protocol, which included six exercises. At each exercise, the subjects performed 3 sets of 15 reps at 60 % of 1-RM with a 90 s rest interval between sets. The subjects also participated in a control session. Hormonal and blood lactate concentrations were measured before exercise, immediately after exercise and 15 min after the end of exercise. Blood lactate increased (p < 0.05) with resistance exercise in both age groups with the highest increases observed in the young males. Testosterone and cortisol concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) immediately and 15 min after exercise as compared to the respective control session values in both young and elderly subjects, whereas no differences were observed between groups (p > 0.05). Growth hormone concentration increased (p < 0.05) after resistance exercise compared to the control session in both age groups. This increase was higher (p < 0.05) in the young as compared to the elderly group. The above results show that a moderate intensity - high repetition resistance exercise protocol for the improvement of strength endurance, seems to be a sufficient stimulus that increases testosterone, growth hormone and cortisol concentrations in elderly males. These hormonal responses may create an optimal metabolic environment, which improves muscular function after a strength endurance program although the elderly subjects present an attenuated growth hormone response compared to younger ones.

Key words

Resistance exercise - testosterone - cortisol - growth hormone - aging

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Savvas P. Tokmakidis

Department of Physical Education and Sport Science
Democritus University of Thrace

University Campus (TEFAA)

Komotini 69100

Greece

Phone: + 30 25 31 03 96 49

Fax: + 30 25 31 03 96 83

Email: stokmaki@phyed.duth.gr