Growth hormone response to the strenuous training in professional skiers has longer recovery time than expected

Abstract

According to literature, 20–30 minutes recovery period is considered sufficient to normalize growth hormone (GH) levels after exercise stimulation. Aim of our study was to analyze GH response in elite athletes after strenuous training and after 2 hours recovery. We used longitudinal (different years, repeated measures) GH secretion data of 15 skiers (altogether 78 measurements) after very intensive training. Training lasted 3.5 hours with following structure: 0…1 h Lactate (La) <2.5; 1…2h La <3; 2…2:45 La<4; 2:45…3:30 La<8. Exercise induced very high increase in GH level. Mean basal level of GH was 0.9 mU/L (range 11.2 ), after exercise GH level was 22.1 mU/L (range 103.7). After 2 h recovery, GH level was 3.1 mU/L (range 18.7, p < 005 compared to the basal level). Our results show that depending on intensity and individual variability, GH responses to exercise in elite athletes can be much higher than described in the literature.ConclusionGH level after strenuous training in professional skiers remain still significantly higher after 2‐hour recovery period compared to the pre‐exercise level. The European Regional Development Fund together with the Archimedes Foundation supported this study.