GH and IGF-1 responses of elite boxers and field hockey players to increasing maximal aerobic exercise

Abstract

Objection: To evaluate the response of some metabolic factors in elite sportsmen performing individual (boxing) and team (Field hockey) sports who apply different training models to the increasing maximal aerobic exercise.

Material and Method: The study included 14 young elite Field hockey players and 10 young elite boxers. The sportsmen were applied shuttle run test. The sportsmen run with an increasing speed of 8 km/h between two lines apart from each other with a distance of 20 m. The runs were started with a signal sound. When the sportsmen missed two signals, the test was terminated. Blood samples were taken threefold as once immediately before the exercise, once immediately after the exercise and once after one hour. The blood samples taken were kept on – 80^oC until the analysis. Using Growth Hormone (GH), insulin (INS), Insulin Like Growth Hormone (IGF-1) and protein-bound Insulin Like Growth Hormone (IGF-bp) original kits in the analysis, serum levels of these metabolic factors were measured. The data were evaluated statistically.

The results: In the analysis of blood samples taken immediately after the exercise, it was seen that GH, IGF-1 and IGF-bp serum levels increased. As to the INS serum level, while the Field  hockey players showed an increase, the boxers showed a decrease. Especially GH increase in the boxers was greatly more than the levels of Field hockey players before the exercise. When the serum levels obtained one hour after the exercise were compared to the levels immediately after the exercise, a decrease was detected in both groups of sportsmen except for IGF-1.

Conclusion: Differences were detected between the responses of GH, IGF-1, IGF-bp and INS to increasing maximal aerobic exercise in elite Field hockey players and boxers. The response of metabolic factors was found useful in terms of health and body composition in both groups of sportsmen in spite of the differences.