Abstract

Aim. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effect of a preparatory period on resting anabolic and catabolic hormone concentrations and these hormone responses to maximal 6000-m rowing in elite male rowers. Methods. Ten elite male rowers (age 20.2 ± 2.9 years; height: 192.7 ± 4.9 cm; body mass: 91.6 ± 5.8 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. All rowers had a long and regular endurance training experience (7.0± 3.7 years) and they were competing at a national or international level. The subjects were tested before and after the 24-week training period; and body composition, maximal 6000-m performance and maximal oxygen consumption were measured. Results. There was an increase in mean weekly training volume (by 16%; from 13.3±1.9 to 15.4±1.5 h.week-1; P<0.05) at the end of preparatory period. Body fat percentage decreased significantly by the end of the preparatory period. This was reflected by the significant increases and decreases in fat free mass and fat mass, respectively. The prolonged training period also increased the measured aerobic capacity values. Similarly, 6000-m rowing ergometer performance time was significantly improved after the training period. Resting testosterone, cortisol, growth hormone and creatine kinase activity values did not differ before and after the 24-week training period and had significantly increased following maximal exercise. Testosterone concentration was significantly lower immediately after the test after the 24-week training period compared to the corresponding baseline value. Testosterone values were reduced to the resting level during the first 30 min of recovery in both measurement sessions. Cortisol values immediately after and after the first 30 min of recovery were significantly lower after the preparation period compared to the corresponding values obtained at baseline measurement. No differences between measurement sessions were observed in growth hormone concentration. After the preparatory period, creatine kinase activity decreased significantly after 30 min of recovery compared to the value obtained immediately after the test. Conclusions. The results of present study demonstrated that further improvement in performance capacity in elite male rowers is best reflected by smaller post-exercise increases in testosterone and cortisol concentrations, while resting concentrations of these hormones did not change as a result of training period. Typical preparatory period in elite rowing training also appears to induce faster recovery of increased creatine kinase activity from strenous exercise test. Verf.-Referat