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Carbohydrate ingestion during prolonged running exercise results in an increase of serum cortisol and decrease of
T J Vasankari1, U M Kujala, T T Viljanen
1Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Finland.
Acta Physiologica Scandinavica
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Carbohydrate ingestion during prolonged exercise did not improve pituitary-gonadal function. Instead, it paradoxically increased cortisol and decreased luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in trained males.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Prolonged exercise can suppress pituitary-gonadal function.
- Energy availability is hypothesized to influence this suppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if carbohydrate ingestion counteracts exercise-induced suppression of pituitary-gonadal function.
- To examine the effects of carbohydrate intake on hormonal responses during endurance exercise.
Main Methods:
- Nine trained males performed a 36 km running exercise twice.
- Subjects ingested either carbohydrate or placebo solutions in a randomized, single-blind manner.
- Venous blood samples were analyzed for glucose, cortisol, LH, FSH, and testosterone.
Main Results:
- Carbohydrate ingestion led to higher plasma glucose and serum cortisol levels post-exercise compared to placebo.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were significantly lower after carbohydrate ingestion.
- Serum testosterone concentrations did not differ between groups.
Conclusions:
- Carbohydrate intake does not prevent exercise-induced suppression of gonadotropin secretion.
- Carbohydrate ingestion may paradoxically increase cortisol and decrease LH and FSH levels.
- Elevated cortisol might be linked to increased insulin levels following carbohydrate consumption.