Skip to main content
Log in

Plasma catecholamine and nephrine responses following 7 weeks of sprint cycle training

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Amino Acids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The catecholamine metabolites normetanephrine (NMET) and metanephrine (MET) increase in response to acute exercise. However, changes in catecholamine ‘nephrines’ during sprint training are unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the plasma nephrine and catecholamine (noradrenaline, NA; adrenaline, AD) responses to a laboratory-based cycle test before and after a 7-week period of cycle sprint training. Ten healthy men completed a 2-min cycle test at a power output equivalent to 110% of pre-training VO2max before and after 7 weeks of laboratory based sprint cycle training, three times per week. Resting and post-sprint venous blood samples were taken. Resting plasma nephrines and catecholamines increased significantly following exercise (P < 0.05). Post-exercise NA and NMET were reduced after training (P < 0.05) and a trend for a reduction in AD (P = 0.09) and MET (P = 0.07) was observed. The results demonstrate a reduction in exercise-induced increases in plasma nephrine concentrations following sprint training. This suggests catechol-O-methyl transferase activity is coupled to high intensity cycle exercise. These findings may aid in the understanding of catecholamine regulation during high intensity exercise and sprint training.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barnett C, Carey M, Prioetto J, Cerin E, Febbraio MA, Jenkins D (2004) Muscle metabolism during sprint exercise in man: influence of sprint training. J Sci Med Sport 7(3):314–322

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bell GJ, Wenger HA (1988) The effect of one-legged sprint training on intramuscular pH and non-bicarbonate buffering capacity. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 58(1–2):158–164

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bompa TO (1999) Periodisation: theory and methodology of training, 4th edn. Human Kinetics, Champaign

    Google Scholar 

  • Bracken RM, Linnane DM, Brooks S (2005) Alkalosis and the plasma catecholamine response to high intensity exercise in man. Med Sci Sports Exerc 37(2):227–233

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bracken RM, Linnane DM, Brooks S (2009) Plasma catecholamine and nephrine responses to brief intermittent maximum exercise. Amino Acids 36(2):209–217

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks S, Cheetham M, Williams C (1984) Endurance training and the catecholamine response to brief maximum exercise in man. J Physiol 361:81

    Google Scholar 

  • Dill DB, Costill DL (1974) Calculation of percentage changes in volumes of blood, plasma, and red cells in dehydration. J App Physiol 37(2):247–248

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Durnin JVGA, Womersley J (1974) Body fat assessed from total body density and its estimation from skinfold thickness: measurements on 481 men and women aged 16 to 72 years. Br J Nutr 32:77–97

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Esler M, Jennings G, Lambert G, Meredith I, Horne M, Eisenhofer G (1990) Overflow of catecholamine neurotransmitters to the circulation: source, fate, and functions. Physiol Rev 70(4):963–985

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Filaire E, Legrand B, Bret K, Sagnol M, Cottet-Emard JM, Pequignot JM (2002) Psychobiologic responses to 4 days of increased training and recovery in cyclists. Int J Sports Med 23:588–594

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Filaire E, Legrand B, Lac G, Pequignot JM (2004) Training of elite cyclists: effects on mood state and selected hormonal responses. J Sports Sci 22:1025–1033

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gaitanos GC, Williams C, Boobis LH, Brooks S (1993) Human muscle metabolism during intermittent maximal exercise. J App Physiol 75(2):712–719

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein DS, Eisenhofer G, Kopin I (2003) Sources and significance of plasma levels of catechols and their metabolites in humans. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 305(3):800–811

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greiwe JS, Hickner RC, Shah SD, Cryer PE, Holloszy JO (1999) Norepinephrine response to exercise at the same relative intensity before and after endurance exercise training. J App Physiol 86(2):531–535

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hagberg JM, Goldring D, Heath GW, Ehsani AA, Hernandez A, Holloszy JO (1984) Effect of exercise training on plasma catecholamines and haemodynamics of adolescent hypertensives during rest, sub-maximal exercise and orthostatic stress. Clin Physiol 4(2):117–124

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harmer AR, McKenna MJ, Sutton JR, Snow RJ, Ruell PA, Booth J, Thompson MW, Mackay NA, Stathis CG, Crameri RM, Carey MF, Eager DM (2000) Skeletal muscle metabolic and ionic adaptations during intense exercise following sprint training in humans. J App Physiol 89(5):1793–1803

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hartley LH, Mason JW, Hogan RP, Jones LG, Kotchen TA, Mougey EH, Wherry FE, Pennington LL, Ricketts PT (1972) Multiple hormonal responses to prolonged exercise in relation to physical training. J App Physiol 33(5):607–610

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser P, Tesch PA, Frisk-Holmberg M, Juhlin-Dannfelt A, Kaijser L (1986) Effect of beta 1-selective and non-selective beta-blockade on work capacity and muscle metabolism. Clin Physiol 6(2):197–207

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kjær M (1998) Adrenal medulla and exercise training. Eur J Appl Physiol 77(3):195–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kjær M (1999) Neuroendocrine regulation during exercise. In: Hargreaves M, Thompson M (eds) Biochemistry of exercise X. Human Kinetics, Champaign, pp 47–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Kjær M, Christensen NJ, Sonne B, Richter EA, Galbo H (1985) Effect of exercise on epinephrine turnover in trained and untrained male subjects. J App Physiol 59(4):1061–1067

    Google Scholar 

  • Lakomy HKA (1986) Measurement of work and power using friction loaded cycle ergometers. Ergonomics 29(4):509–517

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linossier MT, Denis C, Dormois D, Geyssant A, Lacour JR (1993) Ergometric and metabolic adaptation to a 5-s sprint training programme. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 67(5):408–414

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maughan RJ (1982) A simple, rapid method for the determination of glucose, lactate, pyruvate, alanine, 3-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate on a single 20-ul blood sample. Clin Chim Acta 122(2):231–240

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Merke DP, Chrousos GP, Eisenhofer G, Weise M, Keil MF, Rogol AD, Van Wyk JJ, Bornstein SR (2000) Adrenomedullary dysplasia and hypofunction in patients with classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency. N Engl J Med 343(19):1362–1368

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pequignot JM, Peyrin L, Mayet MH, Flandrois R (1978) Metabolic adrenergic changes during submaximal exercise and in the recovery period in man. J App Physiol 47:701–705

    Google Scholar 

  • Peronnet F, Cleroux J, Perrault H, Cousineau D, de Champlain J, Nadeau R (1981) Plasma norepinephrine response to exercise before and after training in humans. J Appl Physiol 51(4):812–815

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Raber W, Raffesberg W, Bischof M, Scheuba C, Niederle B, Gasic S, Waldhäusl W, Roden M (2000) Diagnostic efficacy of unconjugated plasma metanephrines for the detection of pheochromocytoma. Arch Int Med 160:2957–2963

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raber W, Raffesberg W, Waldhausl W, Gasic S, Roden M (2003) Exercise induces excessive normetanephrine responses in hypertensive diabetic patients. Eur J Clin Invest 33(6):480–487

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ross A, Leveritt M (2001) Long-term metabolic and skeletal muscle adaptations to short-sprint training: implications for sprint training and tapering. Sports Med 31(15):1063–1082

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vissing J (2000) Muscle reflex and central motor control of neuroendocrine activity, glucose homeostasis and circulation during exercise. Acta Physiol Scand 170 Suppl 647:5–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Winder WW, Hagberg JM, Hickson RC, Ehsani AA, McLane JA (1978) Time course of sympatho-adrenal adaptation to endurance exercise training in man. J App Physiol 45(3):370–374

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Winder WW, Hickson RC, Hagberg JM, Ehsani AA, McLane JA (1979) Training-induced changes in hormonal and metabolic responses to sub-maximal exercise. J App Physiol 46(4):766–771

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Winder WW, Yang HT, Jaussi AW, Hopkins CR (1987) Epinephrine, glucose, and lactate infusion in exercising adrenodemedullated rats. J App Physiol 62(4):1442–1447

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zamecnik J (1997) Quantification of epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, metanephrine and normetanephrine in human plasma using negative ion chemical ionization GC-MS. Can J Anal Sci Spectrosc 42(4):106–112

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard Michael Bracken.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bracken, R.M., Brooks, S. Plasma catecholamine and nephrine responses following 7 weeks of sprint cycle training. Amino Acids 38, 1351–1359 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-009-0343-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-009-0343-7

Keywords

Navigation