BLOOD AMMONIA CONCENTRATION AFTER SUPRAMAXIMAL TREADMILL RUNNING IN MALES AND FEMALES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in human b lood ammonia content between the sexes and the relationship between wo rk . lean body mass (LBM)-1 and the peak blood ammonia content followi ng supramaximal exercise. Eight males and six females ran on a motor-d riven treadmill reaching exhaustion induced in less than 70 s. Total w ork, heart rate (HR), blood lactate and ammonia concentrations were me asured at rest, immediately after warming-up, and at 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 min after supramaximal exercise. Total work and work . LBM-1 were significantly greater in males than in females (p < 0.01). There was a significant relationship between the peak blood ammonia content and work . LBM-1 in all of the subjects (r, 0.627: p < 0.05). Though n o significant difference was found in ammonia at rest between males an d females, the peak blood ammonia content after supramaximal exercise in males was significantly greater than in females (p < 0.05). These r esults suggest that the peak blood ammonia content relates positively to anaerobic work capacity following supramaximal exercise, and that a difference in blood ammonia content exists between the sexes.