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Influence of whole body cryotherapy on the levels of some hormones in professional footballers
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Abstract
Introduction: The study was undertaken to determine blood serum concentrations of selected steroid hormones (estradiol - E2, testosterone - T, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate - DHEA-S) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in professional footballers subjected to whole body cryotherapy.
Material and methods: Twenty-two clinically healthy males, mean age 26.7 years, were studied. The subjects underwent ten sessions of whole body cryotherapy in Wroclaw-type chamber, with kinesitherapy following each session. Blood samples were collected before and two days after the treatment and the results were analyzed statistically.
Results: After the treatment there was a significant decrease in the concentrations of T (6.01 vs. 4.80 ng/mL, p < 0.01) and E2 (102.3 vs. 47.5 pg/mL, p < 0.00001), but no DHEA-S and LH. The T/E2 ratio showed a significant increase form 72.2 to 136.5 (p < 0.01).
Conclusions: Whole body cryotherapy leads to a significant decrease in serum T and E2, with no effect on LH and DHEAS levels. As a results of cryotherapy, the T/E2 ratio was significant increased. The changes observed are probably due to cryotherapy-induced alternation in the blood supply to the skin and subcutaneous tissue, as well as to modulation of the activity of aromatase which is responsible for conversion of testosterone and androstendione to estrogens.
Abstract
Introduction: The study was undertaken to determine blood serum concentrations of selected steroid hormones (estradiol - E2, testosterone - T, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate - DHEA-S) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in professional footballers subjected to whole body cryotherapy.
Material and methods: Twenty-two clinically healthy males, mean age 26.7 years, were studied. The subjects underwent ten sessions of whole body cryotherapy in Wroclaw-type chamber, with kinesitherapy following each session. Blood samples were collected before and two days after the treatment and the results were analyzed statistically.
Results: After the treatment there was a significant decrease in the concentrations of T (6.01 vs. 4.80 ng/mL, p < 0.01) and E2 (102.3 vs. 47.5 pg/mL, p < 0.00001), but no DHEA-S and LH. The T/E2 ratio showed a significant increase form 72.2 to 136.5 (p < 0.01).
Conclusions: Whole body cryotherapy leads to a significant decrease in serum T and E2, with no effect on LH and DHEAS levels. As a results of cryotherapy, the T/E2 ratio was significant increased. The changes observed are probably due to cryotherapy-induced alternation in the blood supply to the skin and subcutaneous tissue, as well as to modulation of the activity of aromatase which is responsible for conversion of testosterone and androstendione to estrogens.
Keywords
whole-body cryotherapy; steroids hormones; luteinizing hormone; sportsmen
About this articleTitle
Influence of whole body cryotherapy on the levels of some hormones in professional footballers
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original paper
Pages
27-33
Published online
2007-01-31
Page views
1406
Article views/downloads
4444
Bibliographic record
Endokrynol Pol 2007;58(1):27-33.
Keywords
whole-body cryotherapy
steroids hormones
luteinizing hormone
sportsmen
Authors
Ilona Korzonek-Szlacheta
Tomasz Wielkoszyński
Agata Stanek
Elżbieta Świętochowska
Jacek Karpe
Aleksander Sieroń
