The effect of various lifting intensities in release of human growth hormone

This study was desined to measure the effect of various intensities of leg-press exercise and squat exercise on hGH release. Young, 24 ± .7 yrs of age, male lifters (n=3) served as subjects for this study. After a 1 RM was established on the weight sled and squat rack they completed a 3 RM, 10 RM, or 25 RM workout using a 3 set protocol. Each workout (3, 10, squat exercises were separated by 2 weeks. Blood was taken from an antecubital vein prior to exercise (pre-exercise, after warm-up, and post-exercise 4, 8, 16 MIN). The serum was measured for hGH levels. The results indicate that 1) High intensity exercise of a short duration will not elicit a hGH response indicating that exercise duration is more important than exercise intensity, 2) The hGH output, in part, depends on exercise intensity when exercise duration is sufficient to elicit hGH response, and 3) The increased lactic acid during resistance exercise did not relate to hGH levels.School of Physical EducationThesis (M.A.