Abstract:

The aim of this review is to describe the kinetics of GH/IGF systems in response to acute and chronic stimuli from physical training in young athletes. The GH/IGF system comprises a series of growth mediators, receptors, and binding proteins that regulate somatic growth in several species.  This anabolic function can be affected by changes in the concentrations of the GH/IGF system components induced by exercise programs. Some studies described a reduction in the serum concentrations of some GH/IGF system components in adolescents and children in response to intense training sessions, possibly due to an increase in cytokine levels. High training intensity leads to a metabolic status characterized by a rise in inflammatory markers (cytokines) and suppression of GH/IGF system. Changes in the anabolic/catabolic balance and in inflammatory mediators’ concentrations have been reported at different moments in a training season in response to different training programs. The combination of fast growth and puberty development, due to spontaneous increase in anabolic hormones such as GH, IGF-I, and sex steroids, associated with high levels of physical activity suggest that different pathways/mechanisms can participate in the interaction between exercise and anabolic/catabolic responses in young athletes. The subsequent analysis of these findings has the potential to help coaches and athletes to plan their training in order to achieve better performances and healthier indexes.

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