Urinary steroid profile after the completion of concentric and concentric/eccentric trials with the same total workload

Abstract

High intensity strength training causes changes in steroid hormone concentra- tions. This could be altered by the muscular contraction type: eccentric or concen- tric. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the completion of a short con- centric (CON) and concentric/eccentric (CON/ECC) trial on the urinary steroid profile, both with the same total work. 18 males performed the trials on an isokinet- ic dynamometer (BIODEX III) exercising quadriceps muscles, right and left, on dif- ferent days. Trial 1(CON): 4x10 Concentric knee extension + relax knee flexion, speed 60o/second; rest 90 seconds between each series and 4 minutes between each leg exercise. Trial 2(CON/ECC): 4x5 concentric knee extension + Eccentric knee flex- ion under similar conditions. Urine samples were taken before the exercise and one hour after finishing it. Androsterone, Etiocholanolone, DHEA, Androstenedione, Testosterone, Epitestosterone, Dehydrotestosterone, Estrone, B-Estradiol, Tetrahy- drocortisone, Tetrahydrocortisol, Cortisone and Cortisol (free, glucoconjugated and sulfoconjugated) urinary values were determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques. No significant differences were noted in Total Work and Average Peak Torque, although Maximum Peak Torque in the CON/ECC trial was higher than in the CON trial. These results demonstrate no changes in the steroid profile before and after trials, or when comparing CON to CON/ECC trials. The data suggest that eccentric contractions do not cause hormonal changes different to the ones produced by concentric contractions, when they are performed in strength short trials with the same total workload.