[Hormonal responses to repeated lactic acid anaerobic exercise in male subjects]

The hormonal response to repeated lactic acid anaerobic exercise was investigated in 6 young male adults. The exercise protocol consisted of 3 one-minute bouts of voluntary maximal effort, each bout being separated from the subsequent one by a two-minute rest period. Venous blood samples were obtained at rest and at the end of each of the 3 work bouts, as well as following 15 minutes of recovery. A marked increase in plasma catecholamine concentrations was observed in response to the repeated exercise bouts, the rise being more important for the adrenaline (x 22) than the noradrenaline (x 10) concentrations. A progressive increase in plasma somatotropin hormone was observed between the first and the last venous sampling. Moreover, a delayed rise in plasma cortisol, insulin, prolactin, and androstenedione was also observed. Hormonal concentrations of LH, FSH, DHEA-SO4, testosterone, SHBG and testosterone/SHBG ratio were not modified in response to the type of exercise.