Adrenocorticotropic hormone, beta-endorphin, cortisol, growth hormone and prolactin circulating levels in nineteen athletes before and after half-marathon and marathon.
Circulatory levels of ACTH, beta-endorphin (beta-Ep), prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH) and cortisol were evaluated in 19 volunteers athletes 48 h, 1 h before and soon after an international marathon (Romaratona 1988) and a national half-marathon. ACTH, beta-Ep and cortisol levels 48 h and 1 h before the half-marathon were similar, whereas 1 h before the marathon they were significantly elevated (p less than 0.01). Presumably the stress produced by the expectancy of the race induce a significant increase of the hormones of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in the very competitive marathon (Romaratona 1988). Moreover a remarkable increase of ACTH, beta-Ep, GH, PRL and cortisol circulating levels has been observed in the athletes after both runs, but in a different extend in relation not only to the duration and intensity of the muscular work but also to the agonistic effort: thus the hormonal increase was higher after the international marathon run than after the national half-marathon.
Scavo
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I Patologia Medica, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Barletta
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C
Vagiri
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Letizia
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C
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012420:Running; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone