Some more GH info

[einstein1905]

More or less just theory based on other studies, but interesting none the less.


Sports Med. 2003;33(8):599-613. Related Articles, Links


The exercise-induced growth hormone response in athletes.

Godfrey RJ, Madgwick Z, Whyte GP.

Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK.

Human growth hormone (hGH) is secreted in a pulsatile fashion, generally following a circadian rhythm. A number of physiological stimuli can initiate hGH secretion, the most powerful, non-pharmacological of which are sleep and exercise. hGH has many varied roles throughout life, from growth itself, including the turnover of muscle, bone and collagen, to the regulation of selective aspects of metabolic function including increased fat metabolism and the maintenance of a healthier body composition in later life. The exercise-induced growth hormone response (EIGR) is well recognised and although the exact mechanisms remain elusive, a number of candidates have been implicated. These include neural input, direct stimulation by catecholamines, lactate and or nitric oxide, and changes in acid-base balance. Of these, the best candidates appear to be afferent stimulation, nitric oxide and lactate. Resistance training results in a significant EIGR. Evidence suggests that load and frequency are determining factors in the regulation of hGH secretion. Despite the significant EIGR induced by resistance training, much of the stimulus for protein synthesis has been attributed to insulin -like growth factor-1 with modest contributions from the hGH-GH receptor interaction on the cell membrane. The EIGR to endurance exercise is associated with the intensity, duration, frequency and mode of endurance exercise. A number of studies have suggested an intensity 'threshold' exists for EIGR. An exercise intensity above lactate threshold and for a minimum of 10 minutes appears to elicit the greatest stimulus to the secretion of hGH. Exercise training above the lactate threshold may amplify the pulsatile release of hGH at rest, increasing 24-hour hGH secretion. The impact of chronic exercise training on the EIGR remains equivocal. Recent evidence suggests that endurance training results in decreased resting hGH and a blunted EIGR, which may be linked to an increased tissue sensitivity to hGH. While the potential ergogenic effects of exogenous GH administration are attractive to some athletes, the abuse of GH has been associated with a number of pathologies. Identification of a training programme that will optimise the EIGR may present a viable alternative. Ageing is often associated with a progressive decrease in the volume and, especially, the intensity of exercise. A growing body of evidence suggests that higher intensity exercise is effective in eliciting beneficial health, well-being and training outcomes. In a great many cases, the impact of some of the deleterious effects of ageing could be reduced if exercise focused on promoting the EIGR. This review examines the current knowledge and proposed mechanisms for the EIGR, the physiological consequences of endurance, strength and power training on the EIGR and its potential effects in elderly populations, including the aged athlete.

[flexshack]

interesting. one question though. i always wondered how prolactin and lactate are related, if they even are? i do know that lactic acid builds up in muscle cells from anaerobic exercise and that lactate is a salt or an ester of lactic acid. but does prolactin have any relation to these compounds?

More or less just theory based on other studies, but interesting none the less.


Sports Med. 2003;33(8):599-613. Related Articles, Links


The exercise-induced growth hormone response in athletes.

Godfrey RJ, Madgwick Z, Whyte GP.

Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK.

Human growth hormone (hGH) is secreted in a pulsatile fashion, generally following a circadian rhythm. A number of physiological stimuli can initiate hGH secretion, the most powerful, non-pharmacological of which are sleep and exercise. hGH has many varied roles throughout life, from growth itself, including the turnover of muscle, bone and collagen, to the regulation of selective aspects of metabolic function including increased fat metabolism and the maintenance of a healthier body composition in later life. The exercise-induced growth hormone response (EIGR) is well recognised and although the exact mechanisms remain elusive, a number of candidates have been implicated. These include neural input, direct stimulation by catecholamines, lactate and or nitric oxide, and changes in acid-base balance. Of these, the best candidates appear to be afferent stimulation, nitric oxide and lactate. Resistance training results in a significant EIGR. Evidence suggests that load and frequency are determining factors in the regulation of hGH secretion. Despite the significant EIGR induced by resistance training, much of the stimulus for protein synthesis has been attributed to insulin-like growth factor-1 with modest contributions from the hGH-GH receptor interaction on the cell membrane. The EIGR to endurance exercise is associated with the intensity, duration, frequency and mode of endurance exercise. A number of studies have suggested an intensity 'threshold' exists for EIGR. An exercise intensity above lactate threshold and for a minimum of 10 minutes appears to elicit the greatest stimulus to the secretion of hGH. Exercise training above the lactate threshold may amplify the pulsatile release of hGH at rest, increasing 24-hour hGH secretion. The impact of chronic exercise training on the EIGR remains equivocal. Recent evidence suggests that endurance training results in decreased resting hGH and a blunted EIGR, which may be linked to an increased tissue sensitivity to hGH. While the potential ergogenic effects of exogenous GH administration are attractive to some athletes, the abuse of GH has been associated with a number of pathologies. Identification of a training programme that will optimise the EIGR may present a viable alternative. Ageing is often associated with a progressive decrease in the volume and, especially, the intensity of exercise. A growing body of evidence suggests that higher intensity exercise is effective in eliciting beneficial health, well-being and training outcomes. In a great many cases, the impact of some of the deleterious effects of ageing could be reduced if exercise focused on promoting the EIGR. This review examines the current knowledge and proposed mechanisms for the EIGR, the physiological consequences of endurance, strength and power training on the EIGR and its potential effects in elderly populations, including the aged athlete.

[einstein1905]

prolactin is completely unrelated. Lactate is the deprotonated form of lactic acid (lactic acid - H+ = lactate)

interesting. one question though. i always wondered how prolactin and lactate are related, if they even are? i do know that lactic acid builds up in muscle cells from anaerobic exercise and that lactate is a salt or an ester of lactic acid. but does prolactin have any relation to these compounds?

[Da Bull]

prolactin is completely unrelated. Lactate is the deprotonated form of lactic acid (lactic acid - H+ = lactate)

Nice post einstein......it amazes me how you can retain all this information.Truly mind boggling indeed!

[einstein1905]

interesting. one question though. i always wondered how prolactin and lactate are related, if they even are? i do know that lactic acid builds up in muscle cells from anaerobic exercise and that lactate is a salt or an ester of lactic acid. but does prolactin have any relation to these compounds?

Actually, I did see one study that tried to say that excercise-induced prolactin elevation is due, directly or indirectly, to the increased lactic acid levels post excercise.

[jbigdog69]

Thanks Again Bro!!!

[flexshack]

Actually, I did see one study that tried to say that excercise-induced prolactin elevation is due, directly or indirectly, to the increased lactic acid levels post excercise.

when you say "tried to say", do you mean that the study was inconclusive and they were just speculating or what?

[einstein1905]

when you say "tried to say", do you mean that the study was inconclusive and they were just speculating or what?

They measured prolactin levels post excercise and lactic acid levels post excercise, as well as some other factors. they found that both prolactin and lactic acid were both elevevated, so they hypothesized that there may be some link. Too many variables there though IMO. I assume someone is working on more refined studies based on that hypothesis somewhere though.

[flexshack]

They measured prolactin levels post excercise and lactic acid levels post excercise, as well as some other factors. they found that both prolactin and lactic acid were both elevevated, so they hypothesized that there may be some link. Too many variables there though IMO. I assume someone is working on more refined studies based on that hypothesis somewhere though.

thanks.