Adiponectin and stress hormone responses to maximal sculling after volume-extended training season in elite rowers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the resting and short-duration exercise-induced hormone responses of male rowers as a result of 6 months of volume-extended training season. Body composition, maximal aerobic capacity, and on-water 2000-m sculling performance were assessed before and after a 24-week training in elite rowers (n = 11; 193.1 ± 5.2 cm; 91.6 ± 5.8 kg; maximum oxygen consumption [V˙o2max], 6.2 ± 0.5 L · min−1). Six rowers were selected (SEL; 192.0 ± 6.3 cm; 93.5 ± 7.1 kg; V˙o2max, 6.4 ± 0.4 L · min−1) and 5 were not selected (N-SEL; 194.8 ± 4.1 cm; 89.6 ± 4.0 kg; V˙o2max, 6.0 ± 0.5 L · min−1) for the national team. Resting adiponectin did not change as a result of prolonged training. Adiponectin did not change after 2000-m rowing at baseline either. No responses were also observed 24 weeks later in SEL rowers, whereas a significant decrease (P < .05) was observed in N-SEL rowers. At the same time, leptin also decreased after the first 30 minutes of recovery in N-SEL rowers. After the training period, immediate postexercise increases in growth hormone and testosterone were significantly higher in the whole group of rowers. No differences in cortisol responses were observed before and after the training period in SEL and N-SEL rowers. In conclusion, it appears that resting adiponectin does not change as a result of prolonged training. Training may modify adiponectin response to an short-duration exercise depending on the performance level of athletes. Decreased postexercise adiponectin and leptin values in rowers with lower performance capacity may be indicative of the inadequate recovery of these athletes.