Marathon run: effects on blood cortisol -- ACTH, iodothyronines -- TSH and vasopressin

Blood cortisol, ACTH, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, reverse triiodothyronine, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and vasopressin concentrations were determined in 9 runners (29-56 years old) and one 80 year old man taking part in a non-competitive Marathon in Athens, Greece on October 1976. After the run the mean concentrations of cortisol, ACTH and vasopressin showed a significant rise. The thyroid function variables and TSH did not differ from the control values. There was a significant correlation between the cortisol and ACTH levels after the race and also between their increments from the corresponding base values. A significant correlation was found between the physical fitness (as measured by indirect determination of VO2max) and the post-race cortisol levels. One of the well trained runners with a fairly good running time had the highest post-race values for 6 of 7 hormones studied.