Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2006; 27(4): 314-321
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-865669
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

24-hr Urinary Catecholamine Excretion, Training and Performance in Elite Swimmers

D. Atlaoui1 , M. Duclos3 , C. Gouarne3 , L. Lacoste2 , F. Barale2 , J.-C. Chatard1
  • 1Laboratory of Physiology, PPEH (EA 3062), Faculty of Medicine Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France
  • 2Dauphins of Toulouse Olympic Employee Club, Toulouse, France
  • 3Laboratory of Neurogenetic and Stress, University Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: March 22, 2005

Publication Date:
25 July 2005 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of training variations on 24-hr urinary noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (Ad) levels and the adrenaline/noradrenaline (Ad/NA) ratio to search for a possible relationship between catecholamine excretion, training, and performance in highly trained swimmers. Fourteen swimmers (5 female and 9 male) were tested after 4 weeks of intense training (IT), 3 weeks of reduced training (RT), and 5 weeks of low training (LT). At the end of each period, the swimmers performed their best event at an official competition. Individual performances were expressed as percentage of the previous season's best performance. The changes in NA levels after 4 weeks of IT were negatively related to changes in training volume (r = - 0.70, p < 0.01) and total training load (r = - 0.68, p < 0.02). NA levels measured at the end of IT were positively related to changes in performance after three weeks of RT (r = 0.77, p < 0.01). The percentage changes in performance between RT and LT were related to NA levels at the end of RT (r = 0.60; p < 0.04). Ad/NA ratios and Ad were related to performance (r = 0.58, p < 0.01; r = 52, p < 0.01; respectively). The differences in Ad/NA ratios and Ad between two consecutive competitions were related to the differences in performance (r = 0.59, p < 0.01; r = 0.49, p < 0.01; respectively). 24-hr NA and the Ad/NA excretion ratio were related to both training variations and performance. Thus, 24-hr NA levels and Ad/NA ratio may provide useful markers for monitoring training stress in elite swimmers.

Key words

Swimming - training - overreaching - performance

References

  • 1 Ali R A, Qureshi M A, McCorkle F M. Profile of chicken macrophage functions after exposure to catecholamines in vitro.  Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 1994;  16 611-625
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Atlaoui D, Duclos M, Gouarne C, Lacoste L, Barale F, Chatard J C. The 24-h urinary cortisol/cortisone ratio for monitoring training in elite swimmers.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004;  36 218-224
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Bloom S R, Johnson R H, Park D M, Rennie M J, Sulaiman W R. Differences in the metabolic and hormonal response to exercise between racing cyclists and untrained individuals.  J Physiol. 1976;  258 1-18
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Cuche J L, Kuchel O, Barbeau A, Genest J. Sex differences in the urinary catecholamines.  Endocr Res Commun. 1975;  2 549-559
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Esler M, Jennings G, Korner P, Willett I, Dudley F, Hasking G, Anderson W, Lambert G. Assessment of human sympathetic nervous system activity from measurements of norepinephrine turnover.  Hypertension. 1988;  11 3-20
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Fry R W, Morton A R, Keast D. Overtraining in athletes. An update.  Sports Med. 1991;  12 32-65
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Goldstein D S. Stress-induced activation of the sympathetic nervous system.  Baillieres Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1987;  1 253-278
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Halson S L, Bridge M W, Meeusen R, Busschaert B, Gleeson M, Jones D A, Jeukendrup A E. Time course of performance changes and fatigue markers during intensified training in trained cyclists.  J Appl Physiol. 2002;  93 947-956
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Hansen A M, Garde A H, Skovgaard L T, Christensen J M. Seasonal and biological variation of urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol in healthy women.  Clin Chim Acta. 2001;  309 25-35
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Hay M, Mormede P. Determination of catecholamines and methoxycatecholamines excretion patterns in pig and rat urine by ion-exchange liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.  J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl. 1997;  703 15-23
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Hedelin R, Kentta G, Wiklund U, Bjerle P, Henriksson-Larsen K. Short-term overtraining: effects on performance, circulatory responses, and heart rate variability.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 1480-1484
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Hiramatsu K, Yamada T, Katakura M. Acute effects of cold on blood pressure, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, catecholamines and adrenal steroids in man.  Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 1984;  11 171-179
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Hjemdahl P. Plasma catecholamines - analytical challenges and physiological limitations.  Baillieres Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993;  7 307-353
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Hooper S L, MacKinnon L T, Gordon R D, Bachmann A W. Hormonal responses of elite swimmers to overtraining.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993;  25 741-747
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Hooper S L, Mackinnon L T, Howard A. Physiological and psychometric variables for monitoring recovery during tapering for major competition.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;  31 1205-1210
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Houmard J A, Johns R A. Effects of taper on swim performance. Practical implications.  Sports Med. 1994;  17 224-232
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Jost J, Weiss M, Weicker H. Comparison of sympatho-adrenergic regulation at rest and of the adrenoceptor system in swimmers, long-distance runners, weight lifters, wrestlers and untrained men.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1989;  58 596-604
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Jost J, Weiss M, Weicker H. Sympathoadrenergic regulation and the adrenoceptor system.  J Appl Physiol. 1990;  68 897-904
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Kjaer M. Adrenal medulla and exercise training.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1998;  77 195-199
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Kjaer M, Galbo H. Effect of physical training on the capacity to secrete epinephrine.  J Appl Physiol. 1988;  64 11-16
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Knopfli B, Calvert R, Bar-Or O, Villiger B, Von Duvillard S P. Competition performance and basal nocturnal catecholamine excretion in cross-country skiers.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 1228-1232
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Kruse H J, Wieczorek I, Hecker H, Creutzig A, Schellong S M. Seasonal variation of endothelin-1, angiotensin II, and plasma catecholamines and their relation to outside temperature.  J Lab Clin Med. 2002;  140 236-241
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Kuipers H, Keizer H A. Overtraining in elite athletes. Review and directions for the future.  Sports Med. 1988;  6 79-92
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Lehmann M, Baumgartl P, Wiesenack C, Seidel A, Baumann H, Fischer S, Spori U, Gendrisch G, Kaminski R, Keul J. Training-overtraining: influence of a defined increase in training volume vs. training intensity on performance, catecholamines and some metabolic parameters in experienced middle- and long-distance runners.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1992;  64 169-177
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Lehmann M, Dickhuth H H, Gendrisch G, Lazar W, Thum M, Kaminski R, Aramendi J F, Peterke E, Wieland W, Keul J. Training-overtraining. A prospective, experimental study with experienced middle- and long-distance runners.  Int J Sports Med. 1991;  12 444-452
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Lehmann M, Foster C, Dickhuth H H, Gastmann U. Autonomic imbalance hypothesis and overtraining syndrome.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;  30 1140-1145
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Lehmann M, Gastmann U, Petersen K G, Bachl N, Seidel A, Khalaf A N, Fischer S, Keul J. Training-overtraining: performance, and hormone levels, after a defined increase in training volume versus intensity in experienced middle- and long-distance runners.  Br J Sports Med. 1992;  26 233-242
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Lehmann M, Schnee W, Scheu R, Stockhausen W, Bachl N. Decreased nocturnal catecholamine excretion: parameter for an overtraining syndrome in athletes?.  Int J Sports Med. 1992;  13 236-242
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Lehmann M J, Lormes W, Opitz-Gress A, Steinacker J M, Netzer N, Foster C, Gastmann U. Training and overtraining: an overview and experimental results in endurance sports.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1997;  37 7-17
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Leibenluft E, Fiero P L, Rubinow D R. Effects of the menstrual cycle on dependent variables in mood disorder research.  Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1994;  51 761-781
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Mackinnon L T, Hooper S L, Jones S, Gordon R D, Bachmann A W. Hormonal, immunological, and hematological responses to intensified training in elite swimmers.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997;  29 1637-1645
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Mazzeo R S. Catecholamine responses to acute and chronic exercise.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 839-845
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Mujika I, Chatard J C, Busso T, Geyssant A, Barale F, Lacoste L. Effects of training on performance in competitive swimming.  Can J Appl Physiol. 1995;  20 395-406
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Nicolau G Y, Haus E, Bogdan C, Plinga L, Robu E, Ungureanu E, Sackett-Lundeen L, Petrescu E. Circannual rhythms of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in relation to plasma aldosterone and urinary norepinephrine in elderly subjects and in children.  Endocrinologie. 1986;  24 97-107
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Peronnet F, Cleroux J, Perrault H, Cousineau D, de Champlain J, Nadeau R. Plasma norepinephrine response to exercise before and after training in humans.  J Appl Physiol. 1981;  51 812-815
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Plotz C M, Knowlton A I, Ragan C. The natural history of Cushing's syndrome.  Am J Med. 1952;  13 597-614
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Schaller K, Mechau D, Scharmann H G, Weiss M, Baum M, Liesen H. Increased training load and the beta-adrenergic-receptor system on human lymphocytes.  J Appl Physiol. 1999;  87 317-324
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Schofl C, Becker C, Prank K, von zur Muhlen A, Brabant G. Twenty-four-hour rhythms of plasma catecholamines and their relation to cardiovascular parameters in healthy young men.  Eur J Endocrinol. 1997;  137 675-683
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Urhausen A, Gabriel H H, Kindermann W. Impaired pituitary hormonal response to exhaustive exercise in overtrained endurance athletes.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;  30 407-414
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Winder W W, Hagberg J M, Hickson R C, Ehsani A A, McLane J A. Time course of sympathoadrenal adaptation to endurance exercise training in man.  J Appl Physiol. 1978;  45 370-374
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Zouhal H, Rannou F, Gratas-Delamarche A, Monnier M, Bentue-Ferrer D, Delamarche P. Adrenal medulla responsiveness to the sympathetic nervous activity in sprinters and untrained subjects during a supramaximal exercise.  Int J Sports Med. 1998;  19 172-176
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar

Djamila Atlaoui

Sport Medicine
Bellevue Hospital

42 055 Saint-Etienne Cedex 2

France

Fax: + 33 4 77 12 72 29

Email: djamila.atlaoui@univ-st-etienne.fr

      >