Prolactin responses to stress induced by a competitive swimming effort.
Journal Title: Biology of Sport - Year 2007, Vol 24, Issue 4
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in prolactin (PRL) plasma concentrations induced by competitive swimming practice. Methods: Twenty-three males, 13 trained swimmers (experimental group) and 10 sedentary and healthy students (age-matched control group) took part in this investigation. The swimmers were assessed at three points: basal conditions, pre- and post-swimming competition (100 m freestyle), whereas subjects from the control group only undertook the basal trial. The variables analysed were: several body composition measures, anxiety level (STAI questionnaire), PRL and lactic acid concentrations. Results: No statistical differences were observed in PRL basal levels between groups. An evident PRL response to pre-competition psychological stress was observed in the experimental group, since the PRL plasma concentration rose from 4.02±0.53 ng/ml (basal conditions) to 5.52±0.53 ng/ml (p≤0.05). The PRL response to the competitive effort produced an important increase in its plasma concentration (10.07±1.59 ng/ml), showed statistical differences from pre-competition (p≤0.01) and from basal conditions (p≤0.001). A significant rise in plasma lactate levels just at the end of the effort was found, although it did not correlate with PRL levels in the same situation. Conclusion: While we observed a remarkable response of PRL to psychological and physiological stress induced by a short term competitive effort in swimming, no changes in PRL basal levels were exhibited with swim training. More research is needed to clarify these findings.
Authors and Affiliations
LC Páez, GT Luque, CV Gutiérrez, CM Oltras
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP58920
- DOI -
- Views 114
- Downloads 0
Sensation seeking in males involved in recreational high risk sports
The study examined sensation seeking intensity level in males involved in recreational high risk sports and investigated whether its level depends on type of sport practised. Additionally, in case of parachutists, sport...
Myoelectrical manifestations of quadriceps fatigue during dynamic exercise differ in mono- and bi-articular muscles
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate different myoelectrical manifestations of neuromuscular fatigue among individual quadriceps muscle during high-load dynamic knee extension exercise (KEE). Methods:...
Influence of two high-intensity intermittent training programmes on anaerobic capacity in humans
The aim of this work was to determine the influence of a maximal effort training programme with variation of the pedalling rate on the anaerobic capacity, post-exercise maximal concentration of lactic acid (LA) and acid-...
Force – angle and force – time characteristics of human upper extremity muscles
The object of this dissertation was to identify force – angle and force – time characteristics. These relationships were analysed for entire upper extremity and its large joints, which let determine connections between a...
Plasma leptin concentrations in physically active men and women in relation to fat mass, fat free mass and selected biochemical variables
The plasma leptin concentration depends on many factors with a substantial role played by physical activity. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the effects of body fat and fat free mass as well circulating gluco...