DIETARY-SUPPLEMENTS AFFECT THE ANABOLIC HORMONES AFTER WEIGHT-TRAINING EXERCISE

To examine the effect of carbohydrate and/or protein supplements on th e hormonal state of the body after weight-training exercise, nine expe rienced male weight lifters were given water (Control) or an isocalori c carbohydrate (CHO; 1.5 g/kg body wt), protein (PRO; 1.38 g/kg body w t), or carbony-drate-protein (CHO/PRO; 1.06 g carbohydrate/kg body wt and 0.41 g protein/kg) supplement immediately and 2 h after a standard ized weight-training workout. Venous blood samples were drawn before a nd immediately after exercise and during 8 h of recovery. Exercise ind uced elevations in lactate, glucose, testosterone, and growth hormone. CHO and CHO/PRO stimulated higher insulin concentrations than PRO and Control. CHO/PRO led to an increase in growth hormone 6 h postexercis e that was greater than PRO and Control. Supplements had no effect on insulin-like growth factor I but caused a significant decline in testo sterone. The decline in testosterone, however, was not associated with a decline in luteinizing hormone, suggesting an increased clearance o f testosterone after supplementation. The results suggest that nutriti ve supplements after weight-training exercise can produce a hormonal e nvironment during recovery that may be favorable to muscle growth by s timulating insulin and growth hormone elevations.