Long-distance mountain biking does not disturb the measurement of total, free or complexed prostate-specific antigen in healthy men.
OBJECTIVE
Mechanical manipulation of the prostate is a generally accepted interfering factor for the measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). However, only few studies have focused on common daily mechanical manipulations, such as bicycle riding. Furthermore, physical exercise is also supposed to modulate PSA serum concentration. Long-distance mountain biking is an excellent model to study the combined effect of mechanical prostate manipulation by bicycle riding and strenuous endurance exercise on total, free and complexed PSA (tPSA, fPSA, cPSA).


METHODS
We investigated tPSA, fPSA and cPSA in 42 healthy male cyclists (mean age 35+/-6 years) before and after a 120 km off-road mountain bike race. Blood sampling was done before, 15 min and 3 h after the race.


RESULTS
Mean race time was 342+/-65 min. All athletes had normal serum levels of tPSA, fPSA or cPSA. None of these parameters was modified by the race.


CONCLUSIONS
In healthy men the measurement of tPSA, fPSA and cPSA is not disturbed by preceding long distance mountain biking or endurance exercise. Based on the present data, there is no evidence for a recommendation to limit bicycle riding or physical activity before the measurement of tPSA, fPSA or cPSA.
Herrmann
Markus
M
Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Scharhag
Jürgen
J
Sand-Hill
Marga
M
Kindermann
Wilfried
W
Herrmann
Wolfgang
W
D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen