Abstract
Fatigue during prolonged exercise has traditionally been attributed to the occurrence of a “metabolic end point”, where muscle glycogen concentrations are depleted, plasma glucose concentrations are reduced, and plasma free fatty acid levels are elevated. But there exists also a “central fatigue hypothesis” which is based on the increase in the concentration of brain serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) during exercise. However, the physiological mechanisms for central fatigue are largely unexplored, therefore we designed several experiments where central serotonergic activity was manipulated. These animal and human experiments showed that although brain neurotransmission had significantly increased, the supplementation with L-TRP did not lead to premature fatigue. In human studies we used several reuptake inhibitors in order to modify brain activity during exercise. These results clearly showed that time trial performance could not be influenced, but that during prolonged exercise the brain activity can be influenced, as measured by the peripheral hormones.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
R. Meeusen, K. De Meirleir, Exercise and Brain NeurotransmissionSports Medicine 20(3),160–188 (1995).
R. Meeusen, Exercise and neurotransmission, neuromodulationMed Sci Sports Exerc 30(5). S1 (1098)
R. Meeusen, F. Piacentini, K. De Meirleir, Brain Microdialysis in Exercise ResearchSports Merl 31(14). 965–983 (2001).
S. Bailey, J. Davis, E. Ahlbom, Neuroendocrine and substrate responses to altered brain 5-HT activity during prolonged exercise to fatigueJ Appl Physiol. 74(6), 3006–3012 (1993).
S. Bailey, J. Davis, E. Ahlbom, Serotonergic agonists and antagonists affect endurance performance in the ratIntern J Sports Med. 14(6), 330–333 (1993).
I. Acworth, J. Nicolass, B. Morgan, Effect of sustained exercise on concentrations of plasma aromatic and branched chain amino acids and brain aminesBiochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 137(1), 149–53 (1986).
E. Blomstrand, F. Celsing, E.Newsholme, Changes in plasma concentrations of aromatic and branched chain amino acids during sustained exercise in man and their possible role in fatigueActa Physiol Scand 133. 115–21 (1988)
E. Newsholme, I. Acworth, E. Blomstrand, Amino acids, brain neurotransmitters and a functional link between muscle and brain that is important in sustained exercise. In: Benzi G (editor). Advances in myochemistry. John Libby Eurotext, London 127–38 (1987)
F. Chaouloff, Physical exercise and brain monoamines: a reviewActa Physiol. Scand. 1371–13 (1989).
R. Meeusen, K. Thorré, F. Chaouloff, S. Sarre, K. De Meirleir, G. Ebinger, Y. Michotte, Effects of tryptophan and/or acute running on extracellular 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels in the hippocampus of food-deprived ratsBrain Res 740(1–2), 1–2 (1996).
M. Davis, S. Bailey, Possible mechanisms of central nervous system fatigue during exerciseMed. Sci. Sports Exerc. 29(1), 45–57 (1997).
F. Chaouloff, D. Laude, D. Meringo, B. Serrurrier, Y. Guezennec, Amphetamine and a-methyl-p-tyrosine affect the exercise induced imbalance between the availability of tryptophan and synthesis of serotonin in the brain of the ratNeuropharmacol. 26(8), 1099–1106 (1987).
R. Meeusen, I. Smolders, S. Sarre, K. De Meirleir, H. Keizer, M. Semeels, G. Ebinger, Y. Michotte, Endurance training effects on striatal neurotransmitter release, anin vivo’microdialysis studyActa Physiol. Scand. 159335–341(1997).
R. Meeusen, M. Semeels, H. Keizer, S. Sarre, G. Ebinger, K. De Meirleir, Y. Michotte, The effects of exercise on extracellular noradrenaline and dopamine levels in striatum of trained rats, a microdialysis studyMed. Sci. Sports Exerc. 28(5), S75 (1996).
R. Meeusen, J. Roeykens, L. Magnus, H. Keizer, K. De Meirleir, Endurance performance in humans: the effect ofa dopamine precursor or a specific serotonin antagonistInt. J. Sports Med. 18571–577 (1097a).
R. Meeusen, M.F. Piacentini, S. Van Den Eynde, L. Magnus and K. De Meirleir, Exercise Performance is not influenced by a 5-HT reuptake inhibitorInt. J. Sports Med. 22239–336(2001).
M.F. Piacentini, R. Meeusen, L. Buyse, G. De Schutter, K. De Meirleir, Time trial performance in well trained cyclists: no effect of a selective serotonergic/noradrenergic reuptake inhibitorMi../.Sports Med.accepted (2002).
M.F. Piacentini, R. Meeusen, L. Buyse, G. De Schutter, F. Kempenaers, J. Van Nijvel, K. De Meirleir, No effect of a noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor on performance in trained cyclistsMed. Sci. Sports Ererr 34(7), 1189–1193 (2002).
M.F. Piacentini, R. Meeusen, L. Buyse, G. De Schutter, K. De Meirleir, Hormonal responses during prolonged exercise are influenced by a selective DA/NA reuptake inhibitorBr. J. Sports Med.submitted (2002).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2003 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Meeusen, R., Piacentini, M.F. (2003). Exercise, Fatigue, Neurotransmission and the Influence of the Neuroendocrine Axis. In: Allegri, G., Costa, C.V.L., Ragazzi, E., Steinhart, H., Varesio, L. (eds) Developments in Tryptophan and Serotonin Metabolism. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 527. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0135-0_59
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0135-0_59
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-4939-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-0135-0
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive