Strenuous Training Research Articles

Effect of iTonic Whole-Body Vibration on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness Among Untrained Individuals

Attempts to reduce or eliminate delayed-onset of muscle soreness are important as this condition is painful and debilitating. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of whole-body vibration (WBV) massage and stretching exercises at reducing perceived pain among untrained men. Sixteen adult men (age, 36.6 +/- 2.1 yr) volunteered to perform a strenuous exercise session consisting of resistance training and repeated sprints. Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 recovery groups: a group performing WBV stretching sessions or a stretching group performing static stretching without vibration. Both groups performed similar stretches, twice per day for 3 days after the workout. The vibration group performed their stretches on the iTonic platform (frequency, 35 Hz; amplitude, 2 mm). Perceived pain was measured at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours postworkout. Statistical analyses identified a significantly lower level of reported perceived pain at all postworkout measurement times among the WBV group (p < 0.05). No difference existed at the preworkout measurement time. The degree of attenuation of pain ranged from 22-61%. These data suggest that incorporating WBV as a recovery/regeneration tool may be effective for reducing the pain of muscle soreness and tightness after strenuous training.

Elite Women Wrestlers' Muscles

Wrestling is a male-dominated sport in terms of participation, commonly perceived as a masculine sport due to the requirement of muscular strength, courage, fighting spirit, as well as and the element of combat. Integral to achieving wrestling skills and physical capability is muscularity, something which may contradict common perceptions of feminine body appearance. The objective of this study is to examine female elite wrestlers' enactment of the wrestler's role and how they experienced enhancement of skills and bodily structure. This was done by means of a qualitative interview of eight Norwegian elite wrestlers comprising four females and four males in the age group 17 to 32 years. Since the wrestlers practice in a mixed gender setting the males were included as being part of the interaction. The study revealed different ways in which the female wrestlers were doing femininity which also seemed to be contextually bound. This was particularly related to strength training and overall performance as wrestlers. The seniors had apparently accepted strenuous strength training and big muscles, whereas the juniors were `holding back' giving priority to the `private body'. The seniors had accepted the `athletic body' and muscularity with its social costs.

Attenuation Of Exertional Muscle Damage With A Nutritional Supplement

Previous research suggests that glutamine (GLN) administration either during or following strenuous exercise modulates post-exercise inflammatory responses and may facilitate recovery. PURPOSE: This study studied the effects of GLN added to a beverage containing a carbohydrate (CHO) and an essential amino acid (EAA) mixture consumed during and after exercise on markers of EMD and performance in subjects following a strenuous physical training event. METHODS: Male subjects (n = 33; mean age of 24 years ± 1) completed this blinded-crossover study. Subjects were randomized to ingest either a placebo or treatment beverage during and after two identical events (modified physical fitness test), with the alternate beverage provided at the second event. Beverages were matched for CHO and EAA content (42 grams of CHO, 6 grams of EAA per liter) providing 192 calories. The GLN containing (4 grams) treatment beverage provided 208 calories per liter. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted (p ≤ 0.05) between groups with respect to muscle damage or inflammation, to include changes in creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, white blood cell counts, C-reactive protein and select pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as measured at baseline and after exercise. Creatine kinase, the primary variable of interest, increased after the training event in both groups indicating muscle damage had occurred. The treatment beverage did not significantly attenuate the response (p = 0.28). Plasma GLN levels remained relatively unchanged between placebo and treatment conditions, with both beverages blunting post-exercise induced decreases in GLN levels. Physical performance measures and pain scores were not significantly affected by the addition of GLN. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the addition of GLN to a CHO/EAA beverage provided during and after exercise does not confer any significant benefit over a CHO/EAA beverage alone. The intervention failed to alter circulating GLN levels or measurably affect markers of EMD and the inflammatory response, and did not improve physical performance.

Delayed Vastus Medialis Obliquus to Vastus Lateralis Onset Timing Contributes to the Development of Patellofemoral Pain in Previously Healthy Men

Background Delayed onset of vastus medialis obliquus activity has been described in patellofemoral pain patients. No prospective study investigating the development of patellofemoral pain has tested the onset timing of electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis muscles during a functional task. Hypothesis Before the development of patellofemoral pain, subjects demonstrate an altered firing order of the vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis muscles compared with healthy subjects during a functional task. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods The onset of vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis activity was measured with surface electromyography during a functional task (rocking back on the heels) in 79 healthy subjects subsequently submitted to a 6-week strenuous basic military training. Afterward, these subjects were reassessed. Results Thirty-two percent of the recruits developed patellofemoral pain during training. Patellofemoral pain subjects demonstrated a significant delay of onset of vastus medialis obliquus electromyographic activity compared with the healthy controls (P = .023), even before basic military training. In healthy subjects, no significant differences in electromyographic activity onset of the vastus medialis obliquus compared with the vastus lateralis could be identified before and after basic military training. A significant (P < .001) delay could be demonstrated in the patellofemoral pain group after basic military training. A binary logistic regression could be constructed wherein the onset of the electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis was withheld in the model. The most optimal cutoff value, which is based on the receiver operating characteristic curve, is a timing difference of −0.67 milliseconds (vastus medialis obliquus – vastus lateralis). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve is considered as fair (0.68). Conclusion Delayed onset of electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis obliquus–vastus lateralis is one of the contributing risk factors to the development of patellofemoral pain.

Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in sportsmen two hours after strenuous exercise and in sedentary control subjects

Regular exercise has well documented health benefits. However, exercise can also induce imbalance between oxidant stress and antioxidant status. This study was designed to investigate the serum lipid profile and non-enzymatic antioxidants markers (serum uric acid and albumin) as well as lipid hydroperoxide (a marker of oxidative stress) in 39 sportsmen after 2 h of strenuous training exercise and also in 24 sedentary age-matched males who served as controls subjects. Total cholesterol, LDL and HDL-cholesterol were higher in the sportsmen but the difference was only significant in total and LDL-cholesterol (p significantly different. The lipid hydroperoxide was significantly higher in the sportsmen (p status during exercise would help to promote good health.

The Influence of Supplementation with Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) Extract on Selected Redox Parameters in Rowers

High-intensity physical exercise decreases intracellular antioxidant potential. An enhanced antioxidant defense system is desirable in people subjected to exhaustive exercise. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of supplementation with artichoke-leaf extract on parameters describing balance between oxidants and antioxidants in competitive rowers. This double-blinded study was carried out in 22 members of the Polish rowing team who were randomly assigned to a supplemented group (n = 12), receiving 1 gelatin capsule containing 400 mg of artichoke-leaf extract 3 times a day for 5 wk, or a placebo group (n = 10). At the beginning and end of the study participants performed a 2,000-m maximal test on a rowing ergometer. Before each exercise test, 1 min after the test completion, and after a 24-hr restitution period blood samples were taken from antecubital vein. The following redox parameters were assessed in red blood cells: superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione peroxidase activity, glutathione reductase activity, reduced glutathione levels, and thiobarbituric-acid-reactive-substances concentrations. Creatine kinase activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured in plasma samples, lactate levels were determined in capillary blood samples, and serum lipid profiles were assessed. During restitution, plasma TAC was significantly higher (p < .05) in the supplemented group than in the placebo group. Serum total cholesterol levels at the end of the study were significantly (p < .05) lower in the supplemented group than in the placebo group. In conclusion, consuming artichoke-leaf extract, a natural vegetable preparation of high antioxidant potential, resulted in higher plasma TAC than placebo but did not limit oxidative damage to erythrocytes in competitive rowers subjected to strenuous training.

The Effect of a Competitive Wrestling Season on Salivary Cortisol and Recovery-Stress Scores

Strenuous exercise training and competition without adequate rest and recovery may lead to decreases in performance and symptoms of overtraining. Alterations in cortisol concentrations and recovery-stress scores have been suggested as possible physiological and psychological predictors of overtraining. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to observe the influence of a competitive collegiate wrestling season on salivary cortisol concentration and Recovery-Stress for Athletics (RESTQ-Sport) scores and their association. METHODS: Salivary cortisol and RESTQ-Sport scores were collected during a competitive season from ten NCAA Division II varsity wrestlers. Once per week for 12 weeks subjects provided timed, un-stimulated saliva samples and completed the RESTQ-Sport before practice. Subjects were instructed on the proper technique for answering the questionnaire at each collection time point. Saliva samples were placed on ice until centrifugation and then stored at −20°C until analysis. RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant difference in mean salivary cortisol (F (11, 99 = 16.127; p < 0.01) over the season, with the highest concentration at time point one and declining over subsequent time points. Significant differences were observed in mean scores of general stress (F (11, 99 = 2.763; p < 0.01), general recovery (F (11, 99 = 5.628; p < 0.01), sport specific stress (F (11, 99 =2.174; p < 0.05), and sport specific recovery (F (11, 99 = 1.931; p < 0.05) over the season. The recovery-stress scores did not follow a specific pattern varying throughout the season. In addition, non-significant correlation coefficients were calculated between salivary cortisol concentration and general stress (r = 0.248, p = 0.490), general recovery (r = 0.159, p = 0.661), sport specific stress (r=0.153, p = 0.673), and sport specific recovery (r=−0.119, p = 0.744). CONCLUSION: These data indicate that a competitive collegiate wrestling season significantly influences salivary cortisol concentration along with RESTQ scores; however, it appears these changes are independent and unrelated.

Correlation between the bone mass of athletes and biochemical and genetic markers of bone tissue remodeling

The association of the polymorphism of the VDR, Col1a1, and CALCR genes with a form of osteoporosis frequently occurring as a consequence of intense physical exercise in athletes was studied. Biochemical parameters of bone remodeling and its neuroendocrine regulation, as well as the bone masses, of 22 amateur athletes were determined immediately before a strenuous nine-week training cycle (TC) and eight months later. The possible association of these factors with the polymorphism of the genes coding for bone tissue proteins was studied. Long-term intense physical training was found to be associated with a significant activation of bone tissue resorption accompanied by continued rapid synthesis. Nevertheless, and in spite of the strong activation of resorption caused by the TC, the athletes exhibited no osteoporosis (even eight months after the discontinuation of the TC); some of them, however, displayed an individual tendency to osteopenia. According to the results of genetic analysis, this was associated with the polymorphism of predisposition genes (genotype TT of the VDR gene and the functionally weakened s allele of the Col1a1 gene).

Exposure to Phenobarbital in a Foal after Nursing a Mare Treated with Phenobarbital

Exposure to Phenobarbital in a Foal after Nursing a Mare Treated with Phenobarbital

CrossRef Listing of Deleted DOIs

Recreational activity frequently produces large increases in circulating CK activity without consequence. Thus, high CK levels alone do not portend renal failure. Most cases of exertional rhabdomyolysis can, and probably do, resolve on their own without treatment. When taking a blood sample during a routine check, for example in monitoring patients on statin therapy, a high blood CK activity may indicate that strenuous exercise was performed in the previous 10 days. Patients should be queried as to their exercise history during this time. Snow shoveling, dirt shoveling, lifting and lowering heavy boxes, strenuous resistance training, and excessive calisthenics (such as push-ups and pull-ups) are exercises that may dramatically increase circulating CK activity for several days due to forceful eccentric contractions. In addition to elevated CK, factors such as underlying disease, dehydration, environmental heat stress, or genetic predisposition (eg, sickle cell trait) are likely required for exertional rhabdomyolysis to result in acute renal failure [8]. Persons who present to the emergency room with painful, swollen muscles about 2 days after a bout of strenuous exercise should be monitored for kidney function (BUN and creatinine), evidence of myoglobinuria and dehydration, and be queried regarding hydration, heat stress during the exercise, and possible trauma. In cases of exertional rhabdomyolysis, especially in laboratory situations, CK levels up to 100,000 U/L in the absence of nephrotoxic factors have been found to resolve without consequence when no treatment is provided. However, because few data confirm this in a clinical situation in which there may be comorbidities, it remains conservative and prudent in the emergency room to hydrate intravenously and monitor closely to help avoid hyperkalemia and/or acute renal failure in the face of fulminant exertional rhabdomyolysis.

N-Terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations in elite rugby players at rest and after active and passive recovery following strenuous training sessions

The serum biomarker N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a cleaved fragment of the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) precursor (amino acids 1-76), is accepted as a standard marker for evaluating and monitoring cardiac injury characterized by myocardial wall stress. Strenuous exercise may generate transitory ischemia, myocardial stress and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction, possibly inducing increased concentrations of NT-proBNP. A purported caveat to prolonged strenuous exercise is based on evidence for biochemical and structural signs of heart dysfunction in recreational athletes after continuous exertion. We compared NT-proBNP levels in three groups of physically fit subjects: top-level rugby players, professional soccer players and healthy controls. NT-proBNP concentrations were measured at rest and after an intensive training session followed by two different recovery strategies (passive or active). A comparison of the three samples showed that NT-proBNP concentrations in the rugby players were lower than those in controls at rest and were similar to those in professional soccer players. Elevated post-training NT-proBNP levels were unaffected by the type of recovery. The relatively high NT-proBNP levels after active recovery when psychophysical stress is higher, because of cycling and cold water immersion, suggest that not only endurance exercise, but also strenuous, stressful short exercise can induce an increase in NT-proBNP concentrations. In this sample of professional athletes, NT-proBNP was low at rest, and the increase after physical exercise was physiological.

Changes in awakening Cortisol response and midnight salivary Cortisol are sensitive markers of strenuous training-induced fatigue

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of strenuous training on the hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal axis activity. Exercise tests and saliva collections for analysis of awakening cortisol response (ACR) and midnight cortisol were performed before and after a 7-day period of intensified training in a group of 15 soccer players. Intensified training resulted in a performance decrement as shown by the pre-post-training changes in maximal values of counter movement jump (CMJ) height (p=0.008). Cortisol assessment during the first 30 min after awakening showed significant increases both before and after the 7-day period and post-training ACR higher than pre-training ACR (p<0.001). Midnight cortisol also significantly increased after training (mean+/-SD, before: 3.0+/-0.7 nmol/l vs after: 5.9+/-3.3 nmol/l; p=0.017). The analysis of individual data showed an important inter-individual variability in the pre-post-training changes: several subjects increased post-awakening peak of cortisol, rate of cortisol increase from awakening to peak, and area under the curve (AUC) values, whereas other subjects showed no training-related increases. Significant correlations were observed between pre-post-training change in CMJ and in the following variables: awakening cortisol (r=0.74), post-awakening peak of cortisol (r=0.81), rate of cortisol increase (r=0.75), and AUC (r=0.79). Briefly, the lower the performance decrease, the higher the training-associated ACR increase. These data could indicate that a dysregulated adaptation to exercise occurred in athletes who experienced a higher performance decrease after training and lower (or absent) hormonal changes. Future studies are needed to elucidate the physiological determinants which underlie the exercise-elicited changes in ACR and in midnight cortisol levels and their value in predicting impaired adaptations to exercise.

Effect of Hydrotherapy on Recovery from Fatigue

The present study investigated the effects of three hydrotherapy interventions on next day performance recovery following strenuous training. Twelve cyclists completed four experimental trials differing only in 14-min recovery intervention: cold water immersion (CWI), hot water immersion (HWI), contrast water therapy (CWT), or passive recovery (PAS). Each trial comprised five consecutive exercise days of 105-min duration, including 66 maximal effort sprints. Additionally, subjects performed a total of 9-min sustained effort (time trial - TT). After completing each exercise session, athletes performed one of four recovery interventions (randomly assigned to each trial). Performance (average power), core temperature, heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded throughout each session. Sprint (0.1 - 2.2 %) and TT (0.0 - 1.7 %) performance were enhanced across the five-day trial following CWI and CWT, when compared to HWI and PAS. Additionally, differences in rectal temperature were observed between interventions immediately and 15-min post-recovery; however, no significant differences were observed in HR or RPE regardless of day of trial/intervention. Overall, CWI and CWT appear to improve recovery from high-intensity cycling when compared to HWI and PAS, with athletes better able to maintain performance across a five-day period.

New animal model opens opportunities for research on the female athlete triad

dimarco, dart, and sanborn have reported ([2][1]) the development of an innovative and important “modified activity-stress paradigm in an animal model of the female athlete triad.” This new animal model opens the opportunity to conduct controlled experiments to investigate many important

Effects of a 16-Week Recruit Training Program on Bone Turnover Markers and Bone Mineral Density

Military recruits exhibit a high rate of stress fracture (SF) during training. SF susceptibility during strenuous training may result from changes in bone turnover that favor bone resorption. This may compromise bone strength at fracture prone sites through transient changes in bone mineral density (BMD). PURPOSE: To monitor changes and gender disparity in markers of bone turnover and BMD during a 16-wk recruit training program. METHODS: Healthy men (n=26) and women (n=61) (19.2±0.7 yr) entering a 16-wk gender integrated basic training program in the Israeli Defense Forces volunteered for this study. Serum bone formation (BAP and PINP) and resorption (CTx and TRAP5b) markers were assessed at baseline, 8-wks, and 16-wks. Total body (TB) and lower extremity (LE) BMD were analyzed by DXA at 0 and 16-wks. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze changes over time and between genders. Post hoc analyses were used to analyze significant main effects and interactions. RESULTS: Data (mean±SD) are presented in the following table:Table: † = main effect of gender across time, p<0.05; * = main effect of time for both genders, p<0.05Bone turnover markers were higher in men than women (p<0.01). Bone formation markers increased over time for men and women (p<0.01), while bone resorption markers were unchanged. TB BMD did not differ between genders, however LE BMD was greater in men (p=0.03). There was a slight gain in TB BMD over 16-wks in men (2%) and women (1%). LE BMD increased in males (1%) (p<.05), not in females. CONCLUSION: 16-wks of military training resulted in an increase in serum bone formation markers that was accompanied by a small increase in BMD in men and women, suggesting strenuous exercise results in overall changes that favor bone formation.

Point:Counterpoint: Sickle cell trait should/should not be considered asymptomatic and as a benign condition during physical activity

Sickle cell trait (SCT) is found in ∼8% of African Americans and may be found in up to 40% of West Africans. However, most of them are unaware of their status. This observation suggests that SCT may be asymptomatic and remains a benign condition for daily life activities ([5][1]). Indeed, numerous

Strenuous Regular Exercise Training Almost Abolishes the Exercise‐induced Shift of Central Ventilation Controller, thus Attenuating Exercise Hyperpnea

Background: We have shown that minute ventilation [VE] and end-tidal CO2 tension [PETCO2] were determined by the interaction between the properties of controller and plant. During exercise, the controller shifted to the direction of decreased PETCO2, so as to compensate for the shift of plant accompanying increased metabolism. This effectively fixes PETCO2 in the normal range, with the expense of exercise hyperpnea. We examined how athletes are trained to reduce this exercise hyperpnea. Methods: In 6 trained (Tr) and 6 untrained (UT) healthy males, to characterize the controller, we induced hypercapnia by changing inspiratory CO2 fraction and measured the linear PETCO2-VE relation (VE = S·(PETCO2 - B)). To characterize the plant, we made subjects alter VE and measured the hyperbolic VE-PETCO2 relation (PETCO2 = A / VE + C). We characterized these relations both at rest and during light exercise. Results: Physical conditioning did not affect characteristics of either controller or plant during rest. Exercise decreased B in UT, while not in Tr. During exercise, slope S slightly increased in Tr. The hyperbolic plant property shifted right and upward during exercise as predicted by increased metabolism. Though constant C was slightly lower in Tr than that in UT (p<0.05), this does not contribute much to changes in VE. The VE during exercise in Tr was by 22 % lower than that in UT (P<0.01). Conclusion: The attenuation of exercise hyperpnea induced by regular exercise training results mainly from the adaptation of the controller, the lower sensitization of chemoreflex controller. Strenuous regular exercise training almost abolishes the exercise-induced shift of central ventilation controller.

Undergraduate medical education: Psychological perspectives from India

Byline: L.S.S. Manickam, T. Sathyanarayana Rao Introduction Undergraduate medical education in India in the new century is facing more challenges than ever before. Apart from the advanced technological input that came into health-care practices, the fast-changing socioeconomic cultural scenario is also posing a grave concern in the process of producing quality physicians to meet the demands of the future. Though the number of medical colleges has increased substantially to meet the health-care needs of the country, the institutions have to compete with each other to get expert medical educationists who could impart effective training. Highly lucrative jobs that are offered to an engineering or IT professional after four years of less strenuous training shake up the medical student, as well as those who are aspiring to take up the medical profession, and make them ponder whether it is worth its effort in terms of job satisfaction and remuneration. Recent introduction of changes by the policy makers, including the compulsory service in rural areas by the newly trained doctors, could pose an added stress. This is complicated by the fact that even in rural settings, the patients, as well as their relatives, have become so increasingly better informed that they tend to question the decisions and approaches of the physicians to the extent of affecting the doctor-patient relationship. In this paper we review the present curriculum in terms of the psychology component and the probable ways in which it can be effectively implemented in order to train a physician who could be facing the challenges posed, and propose to review the current selection procedure to recruit those with good aptitude for the profession. The Present Curriculum and the Learning Objectives Related to Psychology The Kacker committee, constituted by the Medical Council of India (MCI),[sup] [1] recommended to include humanities in the pre-clinical phase and to examine the students in it. Accepting the suggestions, the curriculum provided by MCI[sup] [2] included knowledge content and skill related to psychology, under psychiatry and recommended that Training should be integrated with the departments of Medicine, Neuroanatomy, Behavioral Sciences and Forensic Medicine. At the knowledge level, it is stipulated that the student should be able to comprehend nature and development of different aspects of normal human behavior like memory, motivation, personality and intelligence and recognize differences between normal and abnormal behavior. At the psychomotor or skill level, the student should be able to effectively: *Interview the patient and understand different methods of communication in patient-doctor relationship. *Identify and manage psychological reactions and psychiatric disorders in medical and surgical patients in clinical practice and in community setting. However, only a small minority of institutions are strictly adhering to what has been recommended. While teaching the core academic topics of learning, memory, motivation, personality and intelligence in the pre-clinical years in the early 80s at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, it was observed that the students did not evince much interest in learning the theoretical concepts of general psychology, since they were not examined in the topics taught. Moreover, the students could not relate the core subjects of general psychology to the clinical practice of medicine. However, when the same topics were dealt with during their clinical posting in psychiatry, there was more interest in learning about the different psychological tests that assessed the cognitive functions and their usefulness in diagnosing in different types of disorders, including mental retardation and dementia. Therefore, in order to achieve the learning objective of the curriculum, the psychology topics may have to be shifted to the clinical years, along with psychiatry, and may be duly examined. …

A Lower-Limb Functional Capacity Test for Enlistment into Swedish Armed Forces Ranger Units

The present work validated minimal performance standards for a lower-limb functional capacity test used at enrollment to predict the risk of discharge from strenuous military ranger training in the Swedish Armed Forces. To set a relevant level of performance, trained conscripts in a ranger unit (n = 38) performed a maximal physical fitness test, including the newly developed ranger test, during the last week of their 1-year basic training. The following year, basic training started with an initial strength test performed by all conscripts (n = 285). They performed the ranger test as a submaximal one. The relative risk was high (risk ratio, 48.5) for discharge attributable to knee problems for conscripts who failed the submaximal ranger test during the initial strength test. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.91 (SE, 0.09) for failing the test. The submaximal ranger test had a high discriminating ability and predictive value for discharge caused by knee problems.

Altered Homeostasis of Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Joints of Standardbred Trotters During a Long-term Training Programme

This study evaluates how strenuous training, age and lameness influence the release of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sf-COMP), aggrecan and collagen type II into synovial fluid in 28 (19.5-40 months) Standardbred trotters (STB), during a long-term training programme (24 months). All the horses were trained by the same trainer and were healthy on entering the training programme. Synovial fluid (sf) from the left middle carpal joint in each subject was sampled every third month. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the concentrations of sf-COMP, sf-aggrecan and sf-collagen type II. Concentration of sf-COMP decreased with increasing age and total days of training. The concentration of sf-COMP was found similarly related to both age and total days of training, so they could not be differentiated. It was also shown that the concentration of collagen type II degradation products increased with total days of training. The study shows that extensive and long-term training programme induces metabolic changes in articular cartilage exemplified by reduced release and synthesis of COMP. This is most likely due to strenuous training leading to inappropriate load on the articular cartilage.