Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 29, 2026

Assessment of Murine Exercise Endurance Without the Use of a Shock Grid: An Alternative to Forced Exercise
07:52

Assessment of Murine Exercise Endurance Without the Use of a Shock Grid: An Alternative to Forced Exercise

Published on: August 14, 2014

Effect of intense exercise on inflammatory cytokines and growth mediators in adolescent boys

Dan Nemet1, Youngman Oh, Ho-Seong Kim

  • 1Center for the Study of Health Effects of Exercise in Children, University of California, Irvine, College of Medicine, Orange, California 92868, USA.

Pediatrics
|October 3, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Intense exercise in adolescent boys causes a catabolic state by increasing inflammatory cytokines and decreasing anabolic mediators. This finding helps explain the paradox of initial growth resistance during exercise training.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Exercise Physiology
  • Sports Medicine
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Exercise typically promotes growth and development in children.
  • However, early training phases can paradoxically induce a catabolic, growth hormone (GH)-resistant state.
  • This study investigates the role of inflammatory cytokines in this phenomenon.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the hypothesis that acute exercise stimulates proinflammatory cytokines.
  • To examine the impact of these cytokines on the GH-IGF-I axis in adolescents.
  • To understand the mechanisms behind the paradoxical catabolic response to exercise.

Main Methods:

  • Eleven healthy adolescent males (14-18.5 years) participated.
  • A single 1.5-hour wrestling practice session was conducted.
  • Blood samples were collected pre- and post-exercise.

Main Results:

  • Significant decreases in anabolic mediators like insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin were observed.
  • Profound increases in proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), were found.
  • Elevated IGF-binding protein-1 and increased IGF-binding protein-3 proteolysis were also noted, indicating complex regulatory responses.

Conclusions:

  • An intense exercise bout in male adolescents induces a catabolic state characterized by reduced anabolic factors.
  • This state is associated with significant increases in inflammatory cytokines.
  • These findings provide a potential explanation for the initial paradoxical catabolism observed in exercise training programs for children.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Impact of High-intensity Interval Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise on the Cardiac Troponin T Level at an Early Stage of Training07:40

Impact of High-intensity Interval Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise on the Cardiac Troponin T Level at an Early Stage of Training

Published on: October 10, 2019

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans07:26

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Published on: October 17, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Exercise and Cardiovascular Response01:20

Exercise and Cardiovascular Response

Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Exercise and Muscle Performance01:27

Exercise and Muscle Performance

Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Exercise and Cardiac Output01:17

Exercise and Cardiac Output

Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...