Endurance training amplifies the pulsatile release of growth hormone: effects of training intensity.

The effects of intensity of run training on the pulsatile release of growth hormone (GH) were investigated in 21 eumenorrheic untrained women. The O2 consumption (VO2) at the lactate threshold (LT); fixed blood lactate concentrations (FBLC) of 2.0, 2.5, and 4.0 mM; peak VO2; maximal VO2; body composition; and pulsatile release of GH were measured. Subjects in both the at-lactate threshold (/LT, n = 9) and above-lactate threshold (greater than LT, n = 7) training groups increased VO2 at LT and FBLC of 2.0, 2.5, and 4.0 mM and VO2max after 1 yr of run training. However, the increase observed in the greater than LT group was greater than that in the /LT group (P less than 0.05). No change was observed for the control group (n = 5). No among- or within-group differences were observed for body weight, although trends for reductions in percent body fat (P less than 0.06) and fat weight (P less than 0.15) were observed in the greater than LT group, and both training groups significantly increased fat-free weight (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Durability of the reproductive axis in eumenorrheic women during 1 yr of endurance training.

Menstrual cycle (MC) alterations occur in some endurance-training women. We hypothesized that a prospective running program would evoke alterations in MC phase lengths and in the physiological frequency of pulses of luteinizing hormone (LH) and/or diminish 24-h integrated serum LH concentrations in some women. In addition, we postulated that women who train more intensively (above the lactate threshold) would show alterations in gonadotropin release earlier in the training program or to a greater degree. To test these hypotheses, we examined the effects of different exercise intensities on physiological and endocrine responses. Twenty-three healthy eumenorrheic gynecologically mature (postmenarchal age 17.8 +/- 0.9 yr) untrained women undertook a 1-yr training program at one of two exercise intensities, one at a velocity corresponding to the lactate threshold (LT) and the other halfway between that of LT and peak running velocity, or served as controls. Training distance was the same in each exercise group. Physiological measurements were repeated every four MC to track changes in fitness and readjust training velocities. The lengths of the MC and the follicular and luteal phases were determined from hormonal concentrations. Body composition, nutritional intake, and pulsatile release of LH were determined. The women ran approximately 790 miles. Each group improved physiologically, with the greater than LT group improving to a greater degree. A less than 2-day decrease in the luteal phase length was observed only in the greater than LT group. No significant changes for any parameter of pulsatile LH release were noted between exercise groups. No significant changes in nutritional intake and only small changes in body composition were noted in either exercise group despite the added energy expenditure of exercise. We conclude that a progressive exercise program of moderate distance and intensity does not adversely affect the robust reproductive system of gynecologically mature eumenorrheic women.

Effects of physical training on cardiovascular fitness and behavior patterns of mentally retarded adults.

The effects of training on maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and body weight of 5 mentally retarded adults were examined. These residents of an intermediate care facility volunteered to participate in a 23-week physical-training program. Supervised training sessions were held 4 to 6 days per week with attendance optional. Subjects were assessed for VO2 max and body weight changes before and after the training program. Results indicated that subjects attended the exercise sessions an average of 3.1 times per week and covered an average distance of 9.0 km/week. Their body weight was reduced by 3.6 kg and VO2 max increased 43%. Further favorable behavior changes occurred during the course of the physical training program.

Prediction of maximal effort bicycle ergometer endurance performance.

Fifteen competitive cyclists and 15 subjects not involved in competitive cycling were studied to determine the relationship between VO2max, lactate threshold (LT), fixed blood lactate concentrations, body composition parameters, and maximal effort bicycle ergometer performance. The subjects were assessed for VO2max, LT, VOLT, and VO2 associated with blood lactate concentrations of 3, 4, 5, and 6 mM/l (VO2 3 mM-VO2 6 mM/l), using an incremental protocol on the bicycle ergometer. Body composition was determined by underwater weighing. Subjects also completed two 10-min drop-off performance tests (starting at 70 rpm) at the same absolute power output (4.5 kg resistance, 1890 kgm/min) (ABS) and at the same relative power output (the highest power output completed for 3 min on the VO2max test) (REL). Metabolic measures and revolution scores were collected on a minute-by-minute basis during the performance tests. The results indicated that the competitive cyclists had higher VO2max (4.25 +/- 0.39 vs 3.50 +/- 0.54 l/min); VO2 LT (2.91 +/- 0.55 vs 1.66 +/- 0.49 l/min); VO2 3 mM, VO2 4 mM, VO2 5 mM, VO2 6 mM, VO2 LT/VO2max (68.5 +/- 11.2 vs 47.2 +/- 10.9 %); max resistance (5.70 +/- 0.56 vs 4.63 +/- 0.67 kg); and resistance at LT (3.57 +/- 0.70 vs 1.93 +/- 0.68 kg) as compared to the noncompetitive subjects (P less than 0.05). Correlational analysis revealed poor prediction between metabolic measures and the homogeneous cumulative rpm scores during the REL test.2+ subjects (r = 0.60 to 0.90).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of training at and above the lactate threshold on the lactate threshold and maximal oxygen uptake.

Thirty-three college women (mean age = 21.8 years) participated in a 5 d X wk-1, 12 week training program. Subjects were randomly assigned to 3 groups, above lactate threshold (greater than LT) (N = 11; trained at 69 watts above the workload associated with LT), = LT (N = 12; trained at the work load associated with LT) and control (C) (N = 10). Subjects were assessed for VO2max, VO2LT, VO2LT/VO2max, before and after training, using a discontinuous 3 min incremental (starting at 0 watts increasing 34 watts each work load) protocol on a cycle ergometer (Monark). Respiratory gas exchange measures were determined using standard open circuit spirometry while LT was determined from blood samples taken immediately following each work load from an indwelling venous catheter located in the back of a heated hand. Body composition parameters were determined before and after training via hydrostatic weighing. Training work loads were equated so that each subject expended approximately 1465 kJ per training session (Monark cycle ergometer) regardless of training intensity. Pretraining, no significant differences existed between groups for any variable. Post training the greater than LT group had significantly higher VO2max (13%), VO2LT (47%) and VO2LT/VO2max (33%) values as compared to C (p less than .05). Within group comparisons revealed that none of the groups significantly changed VO2max as a result of training, only the greater than LT group showed a significant increase in VO2LT (48%) (p less than .05), while both the = LT and greater than LT group showed significant increases in VO2LT/VO2max (= LT 16%, greater than LT 42% (p less than .05)).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Percentages of maximal heart rate, heart rate reserve and VO2max for determining endurance training intensity in male runners.

The use of 60%-95% of maximal heart rate (HR), heart rate reserve (HRR) and VO2max as exercise training intensities was examined in male runners, and these intensities were related to VO2 observed at the lactate threshold (LT) and fixed blood lactate concentrations (FBLC) of 2.0, 2.5, and 4.0 mM. Thirty-one subjects (means age = 29.9 +/- 9.1 yrs; means ht = 177.3 +/- 8.2 cm; means wt = 69.2 +/- 9.9 kg) completed a level running treadmill protocol. The mean values at LT, FBLC of 2.0, 2.5, 4.0 mM and max for VO2 were 52.7, 56.4, 58.0, 61.2 and 63.5 ml/kg.min -1, respectively: for velocity they were 237.4, 252.2, 260.6, 274.4 and 286.5 m/min, respectively; and for HR were 165.7, 172.7, 176.5, 182.3 and 187.4 bts/min, respectively. The majority of subjects were not above LT (N = 20), until an intensity of 90% HR max was attained. At 95% HR max the majority of subjects were above 2.0 mM (N = 23) and 2.5 mM (N = 17) but below 4.0 mM (N = 26). For HRR, 85% HRR was necessary for the majority of subjects to be above LT (N = 20), 90% HRR resulted in the majority of subjects being above 2.0 mM (N = 19), while 95% HRR was required for the majority of subjects to be above 2.5 mM (N = 23). At 95% HRR 14 subjects were above 4.0 mM. For % VO2max, the intensities required for the majority of subjects to be above LT, FBLC of 2.0, and 2.5 mM were 90%, 95% and 95% VO2max, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Reliability and validity of a continuous incremental treadmill protocol for the determination of lactate threshold, fixed blood lactate concentrations, and VO2max.

Fifteen male runners were tested on two occasions to determine the reliability of a continuous incremental level running treadmill protocol (C), with 3-min stages, for lactate threshold (LT) and fixed blood lactate concentration (FBLC) (2.0 mM, 2.5 mM, 4.0 mM) assessment. Test-retest (T-RT) reliability coefficients for velocity at LT, 2.0 mM, 2.5 mM, and 4.0 mM were r = 0.89, 0.91, 0.95, and 0.95, respectively (velocity ranged from 215.3 m/min at LT to 273.6 m/min at 4.0 mM). Mean differences in T-RT velocity values ranged from 0.7 m/min (at LT) to 6.0 m/min (at 2.5 mM; 252.3 m/min vs 258.3 m/min; NS) and the standard errors of measurement were less than +/- 10.0 m/min. Similar results were observed for VO2, with T-RT r values ranging from r = 0.82 (at LT) to r = 0.88 (at 2.0 mM) (VO2 ranged from 47.2 ml/kg.min-1 at LT to 60.9 ml/kg.min-1 at 4.0 mM; VO2 peak = 65.6 ml/kg.min-1). Mean differences in T-RT VO2 values were less than 1.4 ml/kg.min-1 (NS) and the standard errors of measurement were less than +/- 2.95 ml/kg.min-1. Interinvestigator and intrainvestigator reliability coefficients were high and ranged from r = 0.91 to r = 0.99. Validity of C was assessed in an additional 16 male runners who completed C and a criterion discontinuous (D) protocol (using a series of 10-min stages) for LT and FBLC assessment. Results indicated that C and D resulted in similar VO2 and velocity values at LT and FBLC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prediction of lactate threshold and fixed blood lactate concentrations from 3200-m running performance in male runners.

To determine the effectiveness of a 3200-m time trial for predicting VO2 and running velocity at lactate threshold (LT), fixed blood lactate concentrations of 2.0, 2.5, and 4.0 mM, and peak, 42 male runners (means age = 31.1 +/- 8.3 years; means ht = 176.8 +/- 6.6 cm; means wt = 70.4 +/- 10.0 kg) completed a VO2 peak/LT test and a 3200-m time trial. The continuous treadmill protocol started at 0% grade 150 m/min and increased 10 m/min every 3 min until exhaustion. Velocity at LT, 2.0, 2.5, and 4.0 mM was determined from individual velocity blood lactate relationships, and VO2 values were determined from individual plots ov VO2 vs velocity. VO2 peak and velocity peak were chosen as the highest values observed. Oxygen uptake at LT, 2.0, 2.5, 4.0 mM, and peak was 52.51, 56.61, 58.31, 61.70, and 64.21 ml/kg.min-1, respectively, while the velocities associated with LT, 2.0, 2.5, 4.0 mM, and peak were 235.5, 251.5, 259.8, 273.5, and 285.5 m/min, respectively. During the 3200-m time trial (means time = 11.28 +/- 0.96 min), 400-m split times and cumulative times were recorded. Twenty-nine subjects were randomly assigned to a validation sample and the remaining subjects were used for cross-validation purposes. Regression analysis revealed that a 3200-m time trial was a good predictor of both VO2 (ml/kg.min-1) and velocity (m/min) at LT, 2.0, 2.5, 4.0 mM, and peak.