HORMONE REACTIONS TO PHYSICAL EXERCISE FOLLOWING ALTITUDE TRAINING

Abstract

A 3 wk physical training program at medium altitude induces some functional metabolic and hormonal changes in response to physical effort. These changes vary, depending on whether the effort occurs on the 3rd or 7th day following return to sea-level. In the former case a decrease in the somatotropic response is observed whereas in the latter case, a decrease both in the somatotropic and glucocorticoid response as well as in blood lactic acid levels are observed. These changes could be related to an improvement in the aerobic metabolism.