Abstract
BackgroundSeveral studies report martial arts as a good model for investigating neuroendocrine responses to competitive fighting. However, little is known on the metabolic responses elicited by elite athletes during fighting. In particular, the metabolic picture in elite athletes of martial arts is little known.AimIn the present study, our aim was to investigate the acute effects of a session of karate practice on the glucose-insulin system.Subjects and methodsTen healthy individuals (6M/4F; BMI: 22.1 ± 0.7 kg/m2; 21.9 ± 1.1 years, mean ± SE) who practice karate in national or international competitions were enrolled. All participants completed two experimental trials in a randomised-crossover fashion. A basal blood sample was collected from each athlete to assess plasma glucose, insulin, cortisol, testosterone and catecholamines, before karate training session. In two separate days, another blood sample was collected from each participants after 3 min of real fighting (kumite) and 3 min of ritualized simulation of combat (kata).ResultsIn both trials, plasma glucose resulted to be higher at the end the of performance compared to the basal (p < 0.001 after kumite and p < 0.02 after kata). In contrast, insulin was similar in the basal and after physical activity in the two trials. Catecholamines were higher after kata and kumite sessions with respect to the basal values (p < 0.04) and, in particular, epinephrine post-kumite values were much greater than those measured after kata.ConclusionsOur results indicate that unlike performances of karate (kumite and kata) elicit different plasma glucose increases. In particular, we found that glucose and epinephrine concentrations increased more after kumite than after kata.
Highlights
There is much evidence showing important alterations of hormone profile in athletes of martial arts [1, 2]
We compared the hormonal milieu before and after 3 min of two types of karate practice, namely kata and kumite. We found that both KA and KU produced significant increases in glucose, testosterone and cathecolamines levels, without appreciable changes in insulin and cortisol concentrations
After KU, glucose was high with normal levels of plasma insulin, probably provoked by hormone profile changes
Summary
There is much evidence showing important alterations of hormone profile in athletes of martial arts [1, 2]. A number of studies carried out on elite athletes have tried to confirm the hormonal pathway found in other animal models with likewise trends of responses in serum testosterone and cortisol levels [3]. Several studies report martial arts as a good model for investigating neuroendocrine responses to competitive fighting. Little is known on the metabolic responses elicited by elite athletes during fighting. The metabolic picture in elite athletes of martial arts is little known. A basal blood sample was collected from each athlete to assess plasma glucose, insulin, cortisol, testosterone and catecholamines, before karate training session. Results In both trials, plasma glucose resulted to be higher at the end the of performance compared to the
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