The influence of force production and eccentric exercise on growth hormone

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between human growth hormone (hGH) and two separate components of resistance exercise. Eight non-weight-trained subjects (23.33 ± 0.3 yrs) performed three force production trials (FPT), at different concentric workloads, and an 120% eccentric exercise trial (EET) on the Cybex 6000. Blood samples (3 mls) were taken pre- and post-exercise and analyzed for lactate, creatine kinase (CK) and hGH. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the quadriceps muscle was recorded during each trial. The mean peak torque produced during the FPTs increased as work intensity increased but was the highest in the EET. The data for total work showed a proportional relationship with the intensity of the three concentric work loads but not the 120% EET. EMG activity of vastus medialis (VM) and rectus femoris (RF) measured during EET was 26% less than RF of 50% and 15% less than VL of 70% in FPT, respectively. The highest hormonal response occurred following the 120% EET. The hormonal response following the FPTs was highest in the 90% FPT with the two lower work intensity trials (50 and 70%) showing no clear hormonal response. Although the hGH response was the highest in the 120% EET, the post-exercise lactic acid levels in EET were 24% less than that of the 90% FPT. Creatine kinase (CK) activity was significantly elevated 36 hours after the last bout of EET which suggests that the eccentric exercise resulted in muscle damage. The results from concentric trials showed that muscle force generation, EMG, and lactic acid of the three different concentric trials were well correlated to the pattern of hGH secretion. However, only peak torque was consistent with the hGH response of the EET. The highest peak torque and hGH levels were achieved with eccentric exercise. The highest levels of fatigue, as a result of the combination of longer exercise time and overloading of the muscle during EET, may explain the higher hGH output. The muscle damage caused by the eccentric trial was enough to induce delayed onset of muscle soreness and may be the stimulus for the higher hGH output. The hGH response may facilitate repair of the muscular damage induced by eccentric exercise by promoting protein synthesis.School of Physical EducationThesis (M.S.