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Contact: Donna Krupa703.527.73457Cell: 703.967.2751[email protected]
STUDY SHOWS THAT GROWTH HORMONE DOES NOT IMPROVE EXERCISE CAPACITY
Growth hormone is used widely in sports, but recent studies conducted in Sweden show that the use of growth hormone does not improve exercise capacity; results being presented at a meeting on exercise and physiology by international scientists during Olympics
Portland, ME (Sept. 22, 2000) -- Growth hormone (GH) is used widely as a doping agent in sports, but little is known about its short-term effects. A study conducted in Goteborg, Sweden, demonstrates that the use of GH does not improve exercise capacity, says Kenneth Caidahl, MD, Ph.D. Dr. Caidahl, of the Department of Clinical Physiology at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Goteborg, Sweden, will present his findings at the American Physiological Society's Intersociety Meeting, "The Integrative Biology of Exercise," being held September 20-23, 2000 in Portland, ME.
Methodology: Dr. Caidahl and his colleagues studied the effects of growth hormone on exercise capacity among 30 healthy volunteers (15 females, 15 males) between the ages of 19 and 35 in a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study. Exercise echocardiography, with oxygen uptake measurement, was performed before and after 28 days of treatment. Doppler-echocardiographic recordings were also obtained.
Results: The results of the study demonstrated that there was no improvement in exercise capacity with either low- or high-doses of growth hormone. Maximum work load and maximum oxygen consumption did not differ between the groups, nor did it change from baseline measurements to those taken 28 days later.
Conclusion: The research indicates that, despite its prevalent use as a doping agent in sports, there are no findings to indicate a short term beneficial effect of growth hormone in young healthy individuals.
Kenneth Caidahl, MD, Ph.D.
Physiology research in exercise has been responsible for demonstrating that women are physiologically capable of running the marathon without the event being detrimental to their health and well being; the necessity of competing in a hydrated state, seeking frequent fluid replacement during endurance events; being acclimatized to heat before competition; scheduling competition in the early or late hours of the day; and providing fluids that contain a fixed concentration of glucose during the long distance events; the advantages to athletes -- particularly swimmers -- of tapering in their training before competition; the importance of the specificity concept in athletic training schedules and the acceptance by coaches of team sports (basketball and volleyball, among others) that specific power and strength training principles must be followed to enhance performance. The American Physiological Society is devoted to fostering scientific research, education, and the dissemination of scientific information. By providing a spectrum of physiological information, the Society plays a significant role in the progress of science and the advancement of knowledge.
Editor's Note: For further information or to schedule an interview with Dr. Caidahl, contact Donna Krupa at 703.527.7357; cell: 703.967.2751; or at [email protected]; or visit the APS website at www.faseb.org/aps.
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