ENDOCRINE AND PERFORMANCE RESPONSES TO HIGH-VOLUME TRAINING AND AMINO-ACID SUPPLEMENTATION IN ELITE JUNIOR WEIGHTLIFTERS

To examine the effects ot 1 week of high volume weightlifting and amin o acid supplementation, 28 elite junior male weightlifters received ei ther amino acid (protein) or lactose (placebo) capsules using double-b lind procedures. Weightlifting test sessions were performed before and after 7 days of high volume training sessions. Serum concentrations o f testosterone (Tes), cortisol (Cort), and growth hormone (GH) as well as whole blood lactate (HLa) were determined from blood draws. Liftin g performance was not altered for either group after training, althoug h vertical jump performance decreased for both groups. Both tests elic ited significantly elevated exercise-induced hormonal and HLa concentr ations. Significant decreases in postexercise hormonal and HLa concent rations from Test 1 to Test 2 were observed for both groups. Tes conce ntrations at 7 a.m. and preexercise decreased for both groups from Tes t 1 to Test 2, while the placebo group exhibited a decreased 7 a.m. Te s/Cort. These data suggest that amino acid supplementation does not in fluence resting or exercise-induced hormonal responses to 1 week of hi gh volume weight training, but endocrine responses did suggest an impe nding over-training syndrome.