Stress responses to short‐term intensified and reduced training in competitive weightlifters

Abstract

We sought to identify and evaluate the tolerance to, and consequences of, short-term variations in training load in competitive weightlifters. Seven international-level lifters performed 1 week of initial training followed by 2 weeks of intensified (INT: +100%, 36.5 ± 11.3 × 10(3) kg/week) and 1 week of subsequently reduced (RED: -25%) training within their annual program. After INT, but not RED, 90 min of weightlifting increased mRNA levels of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4 (CCL4), chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) and cellular stress-associated DNA-damage-inducible transcript 4 (DDIT4) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by 40-240%. Resting- and weightlifting-induced changes in plasma protein carbonyls, indicative of oxidative stress, but not pro-inflammatory CCL4 concentrations differed between INT and RED. Symptoms of stress (Daily Analysis of Life Demands of Athletes questionnaire) were reported as worse than normal more frequently during INT and RED than initial training. Global (negative) mood state increased during INT and declined during RED. Maximal snatch (-4.3 ± 3.7%) and vertical jump (-7.2 ± 6.5%), but not clean and jerk, were reduced after INT and restored after RED. Chemokine signaling may thus be part of the stress response to intense weightlifting and short-term reductions in training load support recovery from periodic INT training in weightlifters.

Validation of whole-blood transcriptome signature during microdose recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) administration

“…Low expression of the gene may relate to impaired immune response [ 53 , 54 ]. This current observation is in line with previous studies indicating acute inflammatory response following acute resistance exercise [ 55 , 56 ] and the subsequent anti-inflammatory response is to prevent the development of chronic inflammation [ 21 , 57 ]. Six and fifteen genes were significantly down-regulated (6 is included in the 15) immediately following exercise before rHuEpo and after placebo, respectively (FDR < 0.05 and fold-change >1.5).…”

Short-Term Training Cessation as a Method of Tapering to Improve Maximal Strength

“…A baseline for DALDA (frequency of 'worse than normal' results) was established in the initial two weeks of training and compared to changes following the training and training cessation periods (27). The tool has been used previously with strength athletes to monitor responses to intense training (28). The MTP was then performed on the same force-plate with the knees at 130˚ (whereby a knee angle of 180˚ represents full knee extension) and an upright torso using previously described methods (19,20).…”

Higher- Versus Lower-Intensity Strength-Training Taper: Effects on Neuromuscular Performance

“…The frequency of 'worse than normal' results was recorded at each testing session and was analysed to determine any changes across testing sessions. This questionnaire has been used previously to monitor athletes 18,19 .…”