Authors
Abstract
Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 are anabolic hormones which play a vital role in developing body tracts especially in childhood and adolescence years. Exercise is a motive which influences GH and IGF-1 secretion. Today, water sports are highly recommended due to creating delight in children. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of eight weeks of water training on rest levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in male children. 18 non-athlete boys (mean ± SD age: 10.2±2 yrs, weight: 26.5±3 kg, height: 130.9±6 cm) were randomly assigned to experimental (n=10) or control (n=8) groups. First, fasting blood samples were gathered to measure GH and IGF-1. Experimental group participated in 8 weeks of water training with intensity of 70-80% HRmax for 3 sessions per week and 1 hour per session. Control group did not participate in any exercise. Blood samples were collected again after last session of training to assess serum GH and IGF-1. Dependent and independent t tests were used to analyze data. The results showed no significant effect of 8 weeks of water training on GH and IGF-1 serum concentration (P>0.05) while a significant increase was observed in GH and IGF-1 after 8 weeks in control group. In addition, there was a significant difference in GH and IGF-1 secretion between the two groups after 8 weeks (P<0.05). It was concluded that eight weeks of water training with intensity of 70-80% HRmax did not stimulate GH and IGF-1 secretion in athlete boys agerd between 9 and 11
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