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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-01-2018 | Original Article

Thyroid hormones and commonly cited symptoms of overtraining in collegiate female endurance runners

Authors: Justin X. Nicoll, Disa L. Hatfield, Kathleen J. Melanson, Christopher S. Nasin

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Purpose

Overtraining syndrome (OTS) is reported in endurance sports. Thyroid hormones (TH) regulate metabolism, mood, and energy production, and may play a role in OTS of endurance athletes. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships in TH and symptoms of OTS in track and field endurance runners (ER).

Methods

Sixteen female track and field middle distance (MD; n = 9; age: 20.2 ± 1.5 years; ht: 167.86 ± 5.04 cm; body-mass: 57.97 ± 5.05 kg; VO_2MAX: 53.62 ± 6.04 ml/kg/min) and long distance (LD; n = 7; age: 20.5 ± 1.5 years; ht: 162.48 ± 6.11 cm; body-mass: 56.15 ± 5.99 kg; VO_2MAX: 61.94 ± 3.29 ml/kg/min) ER participated in this descriptive study (15-weeks). Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T ₃), and thyroxine (T ₄), were collected at pre-(PRE) and post-season (POST). A fatigue scale was administered weekly, and percent change (PΔ) in race time (season best vs. championship performance) was calculated. Wilcoxon-sign ranked tests and Spearman’s rho correlations were used to determine changes and relationships between TH and performance.

Results

TSH, T ₃ and T ₄ did not change from PRE to POST. The percent change (PΔ) in T ₃ from PRE to POST was correlated with running performance at the end of the season (ρ = − 0.70, p = 0.036). Fatigue at week 12 correlated with running performance at the end of the season (ρ = − 0.74, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

TH may be valuable in assessing the overall training state of ER. TH concentrations change too slowly to be a frequent marker of monitoring OTS, but are related to markers of decreased performance. Monitoring dietary intake, and fatigue may be predictive markers to assess OTS and training status of female ER.

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Title: Thyroid hormones and commonly cited symptoms of overtraining in collegiate female endurance runners
Authors: Justin X. Nicoll
Disa L. Hatfield
Kathleen J. Melanson
Christopher S. Nasin
Publication date: 01-01-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3723-9

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Thyroid hormones and commonly cited symptoms of overtraining in collegiate female endurance runners

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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