A genetic study of cortisol measured before and after endurance training: The HERITAGE Family Study
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are familial influences on cortisol levels at baseline and in response to endurance exercise training and, if so, whether there is evidence for a major gene effect. There were 476 white individuals in 99 nuclear families and 247 black individuals in 105 families with valid cortisol data in the HERITAGE Family Study. Data adjustments were carried out separately in each of 8 sex by generation by race groups, using stepwise multiple regression procedures. The familial factors underling the variability in baseline cortisol (log-transformed and adjusted for age and baseline body mass index [BMI]) and its training response (post-training minus baseline, adjusted for age, baseline BMI, and the baseline cortisol value) were assessed by estimating familial correlations and carrying out segregation analysis. In the white sample, significant familial resemblance was detected for both baseline cortisol and the training response, with maximal heritabilities of 38% and 32%, respectively. However, significant familial correlations were not detected for either cortisol phenotype in the black sample, perhaps owing, in part, to the much smaller family sizes. Results of segregation analysis of the white sample provided evidence for Mendelian additive genes influencing baseline cortisol and its training response. The major genes accounted for 33% and 31% of the variance for baseline cortisol and the training response with 48% and 5% of the sample homozygous for the genotype leading to high values, respectively. In conclusion, we found significant familial effects influencing levels of baseline cortisol and its training response in the white sample. The putative major gene effects appear to explain most of the observed familial resemblance, this will motivate further linkage and association studies.
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Interindividual plasma cortisol differences in the response to one hour of aerobic exercise with inserted supramaximal workloads
2007, Apunts Medicine de l'EsportEl objetivo del estudio fue evaluar las diferencias en la concentración plasmática de cortisol tras la realización de un esfuerzo mixto, aeróbicoanaeróbico, en un grupo de jóvenes físicamente activos.
Catorce voluntarios realizaron, en un cicloergómetro, 40 min de ejercicio a la intensidad correspondiente al 50% del pico individual de consumo de oxígeno, manteniendo el ritmo de pedaleo a 60 revoluciones/min. Durante el mismo, se intercalaron 4 fases de 30 s con una carga de 0,04 kg por kilo de masa corporal en los minutos 10, 20, 30 y 40. Tras estos primeros minutos, pedaleaban durante 20 min a la máxima velocidad posible frente a una carga constante correspondiente al 50% del consumo de oxígeno. Se controlaron los parámetros cardiorrespiratorios y se recogieron muestras sanguíneas al inicio de la prueba, cada 10 min durante el ejercicio y a los 15 min de la recuperación.
Las respuestas cardiopulmonar y metabólica fueron muy homogéneas, con un aumento de los valores de cortisol a lo largo de la prueba (F = 5,16; p < 0,001) que presentó diferencias entre los sujetos (F = 6,74; p < 0,001). En 8 participantes (57,1% de la muestra) se observó un aumento, y en 6 (42,9%) los cambios fueron pequeños con respecto a los valores previos al inicio de la prueba.
A pesar de haber evaluado un grupo homogéneo, se observaron diferencias interindividuales en la concentración plasmática de cortisol tras la realización de un esfuerzo mixto, lo que puede tener implicaciones en la adaptación provocada por el ejercicio.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate differences in plasma cortisol concentration in response to an intercalating aerobic-anaerobic exercise test in a group of physically active young people.
Fourteen healthy young male volunteers performed a 40-minute exercise test at 50% of individual peak oxygen uptake on a cycle ergometer, maintaining a pedal rate of 60 r.p.m., during which they aimed to intercalate 4 explosive anaerobic phases of 30 seconds with a workload of 0.04 kg per kg of body mass at 10, 20, 30 and 40 minutes. After this first phase, and without stopping the exercise and maintaining the corresponding workload of 50% of peak oxygen uptake, the volunteers ended the exercise by pedaling at the maximum number of revolutions possible for 20 minutes. Cardiopulmonary parameters were continuously monitored and blood samples were obtained at rest, every 10 minutes during the test, and at 15 minutes during the recovery period.
Cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses were similar in all the participants during the test and the group tendency was to increase plasma cortisol levels significantly throughout the test (F = 5.16; p < 0.001). Plasma cortisol levels showed large interindividual differences (F = 6.74; p < 0.001). In 8 participants (57.1%), plasma cortisol levels increased during exercise and while in 6 (42.9%) minor changes with respect to resting values were observed.
Substantial differences in plasma cortisol levels were found in a homogeneous group of young male volunteers during a successive aerobic-anaerobic exercise test, which may have implications in adaptation to exercise.
Variations of androgens and cortisol levels over six seasons in professional football players
2004, Science and SportsObjectif. – Évaluer les fonctions surrénaliennes et testiculaires chez des footballeurs professionnels en comparaison avec des sujets sédentaires, par des dosages plasmatiques des androgènes et du cortisol réalisés tout au long d’une saison sportive.
Matériel et méthodes. – Seize footballeurs de l’équipe professionnelle de l’Olympique lyonnais et 11 témoins ont subi huit prélèvements sanguins au cours de la saison sportive 1989–1990, pour la mesure des concentrations de différents stéroïdes : cortisol, sulfate de déhydroépiandrostérone, delta-4-androstènedione, testostérone.
Cette étude a été complétée par la détermination des taux de cortisol sur des prélèvements ponctuels effectués au sein de l’Olympique lyonnais durant cinq années consécutives, de 1995 à 2000.
Résultats. – Le taux de cortisol plasmatique est plus élevé chez les footballeurs professionnels que chez les témoins durant toute la période sportive. Les variations circannuelles sont les mêmes dans les deux groupes.
Les taux de sulfate de déhydroépiandrostérone, de delta-4-androstènedione et de testostérone ne sont pas statistiquement différents de ceux des témoins. Les résultats de testostérone confirment l’intégrité de l’axe gonadotrope.
Les différents mécanismes d’activation de l’axe corticotrope sont discutés.
Aim. – Compare adrenocortical and testicular functions in professional football players and sedentary age-matched controls using androgens and cortisol determinations.
Material and methods. – Sixteen footballers from the Olympique Lyonnais Team and 11 sedentary controls were studied between June 1989 and June 1990. For each subject, eight blood samples were collected during this year for measurement of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, delta-4-androstenedione and testosterone plasma levels. Furthermore, cortisol determinations were performed in the professional football players of Olympique Lyonnais during five more years, from 1995 to 2000.
Results. – The plasma cortisol level was higher in the footballers compared to the controls. Cortisol circannual variations were noted and were the same in the two groups. In contrast, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, delta-4-androstenedione and testosterone levels were not statically different in football players and controls. These data indicate no appreciable change in the gonadotropic axis whereas the corticotropic axis was activated in professional footballers. The mechanisms underlying this activation of corticotropic axis were discussed.
Forging trandisciplinary bridges to meet the physical inactivity challenge in the 21st century
2002, American Journal of Preventive MedicineBlood and Salivary Cortisol Variations in Athletes in Relation to Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
2023, Medicina (Lithuania)The HERITAGE Family Study: A Review of the Effects of Exercise Training on Cardiometabolic Health, with Insights into Molecular Transducers
2022, Medicine and Science in Sports and ExerciseRelationships between heart rate variability, sleep duration, cortisol and physical training in young athletes
2021, Journal of Sports Science and Medicine