Response of selected hormonal markers to the exercise during training cycles in semi-endurance elite runners

ABSTRACT: Background: High-intensity exercises cause changes in levels of Anabolic and Catabolic Serum Hormones. The purpose of this study was to determine the Response of selected hormonal markers to the exercise during training cycles in semi-endurance elite runners. Materials and Methods: thirteen semi-endurance elite male runners with an average age of 18.92±1.7 years and Body Mass Index of 20.07±1.50 kilograms per square centimetre were selected through selective sampling. The runners participated in the selected exercise program with moderate intensity for fourteen weeks consisting of twelve sessions a week (in the morning and afternoon). Serum Testosterone and Cortisol were measured as dependent variables through Immunoradiometric Assay by means of a Gamma Counter before and after the general training period. Collected data were first tested by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to ensure their normal distribution within a significance level of P?0.05 then examined by repeated measures and Bonferroni post hoc test. Results: The results show that the levels of the cortisol during preparatory period had a significant decrease; while, testosterone to cortisol ratio increased significantly during this period. Although, during competition period, cortisol increased and the levels of the testosterone decreased. While, Testosterone to cortisol concentration ratio during this period decreased significantly. Conclusion: Selected training, improved procedure of the anabolic process and variations of testosterone cortisol ratio mention to the anabolic compatibility that it caused by regular training, while this procedure at the competition phase was contrary. Hence, monitoring of these hormones is essential to avoid overtraining and to enhance the performance of the runners.