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Peptides and exercise at high and low altitudes.
1Lovelace Medical Foundation, Center for Basic and Applied Medical Research, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108.
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|October 1, 1992
Summary
Exercise and environmental stressors like altitude and heat impact circulating peptides such as beta-endorphin and endothelin. Chronic exertion alters these responses, with age influencing peptide release during physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Endocrinology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Certain peptides, including beta-endorphin and endothelin, are released in response to physiological stress.
- Understanding these responses is crucial for comprehending human adaptation to exercise and environmental challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of various exercise stressors (altitude, heat) on beta-endorphin and endothelin levels.
- To assess the longitudinal impact of chronic exertion on beta-endorphin and its relationship with melatonin secretion in athletes.
- To examine the influence of long-term high-altitude exposure on resting beta-endorphin levels.
Main Methods:
- Measurements of beta-endorphin, endothelin, atrial natriuretic factor, vasopressin, and melatonin in human circulation.
- Studies involved different exercise intensities, altitudes (low, moderate, high), heat stress, and chronic exertion protocols.
- Longitudinal assessment of well-trained athletes was conducted.
Main Results:
- Exercise and environmental stressors significantly increased beta-endorphin and melatonin, with age-dependent variations.
- Chronic exertion led to diminished exercise-induced opioid release and a lack of beta-endorphin-melatonin correlation.
- Long-term high-altitude exposure correlated with elevated resting beta-endorphin levels.
- Atrial natriuretic factor and vasopressin were released during exercise at moderate altitude.
- Endothelin levels increased irrespective of exercise type, duration, or moderate hypoxia.
Conclusions:
- Exercise and environmental stressors modulate key peptide levels in human circulation.
- Age is a significant factor in the endocrine response to exercise.
- Chronic exertion alters the body's hormonal response to physical stress and impacts melatonin regulation.
- High-altitude exposure induces sustained changes in beta-endorphin levels.
- Endothelin's release is a consistent response to exercise and hypoxia, highlighting its role in cardiovascular regulation.