Influence of Seasonal Variations in Training Loads on Selected Amino Acids and Parameters of the Psychoimmunological Network in a Swimming Team

Abstract

In the last years a shift in amino acid profile was discussed as one reason for the development of staleness. Signs of staleness are among others susceptibility to infection and disturbances in well-being. Beside tryptophane and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) glutamine is the most discussed amino acid (AA) in this context. Based on the hypothesis of a multifactorial genesis of staleness and these AA being the metabolic link in psychoimmunology, seven young swimmers of regional top level were examined in a longitudinal field monitoring for biochemical, biomechanical and psycho-physiological data at six different training phases across one year. Special interest was spent on phases with the highest training loads (HT I and II) because of the increased risk of appearance of staleness compared with the regeneration phase (RP). The results point out that well controlled and regulated HT does not reduce but increases the plasma levels of glutamate (means and SD; RP 20 ± 8 µmol/l, HT I 34 ± 11 µmol/l), glutamine (RP 489 ± 155 µmol/l, HT I 634 ± 113 µmol/l) and BCAA (valine RP 164 ± 54 µmol/l, HT I 283 ± 58 µmol/l, isoleucine RP 59 ± 20 µmol/l, HT I 101 ± 24 µmol/l, leucine RP 88 ± 32 µmol/l, HT I 142 ± 35 µmol/l). The immunological parameters did not show any significant training-induced changes (sIL-2-R: RP 422 ± 98 U/ml, HT I 522 ± 70 U/ml, s-ICAM: RP 157 ± 11 ng/ml, HT I 185 ± 32 ng/ml) and don't seem to be suitable as indicators for a “biochemical-psychophysiological” justified control and regulation of training. Possibly the increasing of plasma concentrations of AA by intensive and high volume endurance training is the “store shape” of AA in view of saving and provisioning the organism for further exhausting training loads.

Key words

Control and regulation of training - overtraining - psychoimmunology - amino acids - glutamine - swimming

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1 Normal, planned phase of training with high loads near the maximal capacity, which results after appropriate regeneration in an optimal adaptation (”overtraining”).

2 When the duration of overtraining is too long, or regeneration is not adequate, a non planned reduction in performance appears, the overtraining syndrome (”staleness”).