Effects of resistance training on insulin-like growth factor-1 and IGF binding proteins

Purpose: Our goal was to determine the effects resistance training on circu lating IGF-I and on two of its major binding proteins, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3. Additional goals were to compare the time course of hormonal changes with the time course of strength changes and to determine the effect of training volume on the extent of hormonal changes, Methods: Thirty-one men and wome n (mean age = 37 +/- 7 yr) completed a 25-wk, 3 d . wk(-1) program in which they performed single-set resistance training (I-SET, N = 11), multiple-se t resistance training (3-SET, N = 11), or no exercise (Control, N = 9). Bef ore training, and after 13 and 25 wk of training, blood hormones were analy zed and strength was assessed as the sum of one-repetition maximum (I-RM) f ar leg extension and chest press exercises. Results: During the first 13 wk of resistance training, circulating IGF-I increased by approximately 20% i n both the I-SET and 3-SET groups (P = 0.041). No further increases occurre d between 13 and 25 wk. In the 3-SET group, IGFBP-3 decreased 20% between 1 3 and 25 wk (P = 0.008). Training did not alter IGFBP-1. Increases in 1-RM strength occurred mainly during the first 13 wk of training and were signif icantly higher with 3-SET training compared to 1-SET. Conclusions: These fi ndings indicate that increased circulating IGF-I may, at least in part, med iate increases in strength that result from resistance training.