title: Short-term glucocorticoid intake improves exercise endurance in healthy recreationally trained women.
abstract: The present study investigated whether short-term oral administration of glucocorticoid would modify performance and selected hormonal and metabolic parameters during submaximal exercise in healthy women. Nine recreational female athletes completed cycling trials at 70-75% VO(2) max until exhaustion after either placebo (Pla, gelatin) or oral prednisone (Cor, Cortancyl, 50 mg per day for 1 week) treatment, according to a double-blind and randomized protocol. Blood samples were collected at rest; after 10, 20, and 30 min of exercise; at exhaustion; and after 10 and 20 min of passive recovery for adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), insulin (Ins), blood glucose (Glu), and lactate (Lac) determination. Cycling time was significantly increased with short-term Cor intake (Cor: 66.4 +/- 8.4 vs. Pla: 47.9 +/- 6.7 min, P < 0.01). ACTH and DHEA remained completely blunted throughout the experiment with Cor versus Pla (P < 0.01), whereas GH and PRL were significantly decreased with Cor after, respectively, 20 and 30 min of exercise (P < 0.05). No significant difference in Ins or Glu values was found between the two treatments but Lac concentrations were significantly increased with Cor versus Pla between 10 and 30 min of exercise (P < 0.05). These data indicate that short-term glucocorticoid intake improved endurance performance in women, but further investigation is needed to determine whether these results are applicable to elite female athletes and, if so, current WADA legislation needs to be changed.
authors: Laboratoire AMAPP, EA 4248, Université d'Orléans, Allée du Château, BP 6237, 45062, Orléans Cedex 2, France.
authors: Bénédicte
authors: B
authors: Le Panse
authors: Rémi
authors: R
authors: Thomasson
authors: Laetitia
authors: L
authors: Jollin
authors: Anne-Marie
authors: AM
authors: Lecoq
authors: Virgile
authors: V
authors: Amiot
authors: Nathalie
authors: N
authors: Rieth
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: De Ceaurriz
authors: Katia
authors: K
authors: Collomp
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D010919:Placebos; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011998:Recreation / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D010919:Placebos; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D011241:Prednisone