METABOLIC AND HORMONAL REACTIONS DURING TRAINING IN JUNIOR OARSMEN

This study evaluated strain reactions in young athletes (mean age: 17. 6 years). Of 35 male rowers, 21 were selected by rowing ergometer test s to take part in a 26-day training camp before the World Championship s in 1989. Blood samples were obtained in the morning of the day after rowing ergometer tests and on the 16th and 26th day. Cortisol (C), te stosterone (T), sexual-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), urea and creat ine kinase (CK) were determined in serum and free testosterone (FT) wa s calculated. In the nonselected rowers C was 10% higher, FT 20% lower , and CK 42% higher compared to the selected rowers. During training, C was related to the intensity of training. It remained constant in ph ase 1 (12 days, increased volume of training) and increased in phase 2 (10 days, decreased volume and higher intensity). FT decreased in pha se 1 and increased in phase 2. Urea showed a close relationship to tra ining volume. CK levels decreased during the training volume. CK level s decreased during the training period as an adaptation to the trainin g. Despite a high training load, there were no indications of overstra in reactions in these young athletes.