Aging Reduces Growth Hormone
November 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Did you know that Growth Hormone aids in controlling the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins? This is possible during exercise because the GH levels actually increase in quantity to active muscle mass and exercise force. For example, during an experiment with young men between the ages of 18 – 25 years, British scientists discovered that Growth Hormone levels were much higher during endurance cycling than sprinting or resistance exercise.
They evaluated the growth hormone response during three exercise sessions:
• 30 minute weight training session
• 30 second sprinting session
• 2 hour endurance cycling
Following the exercise experiment, the scientist’s results showed that the growth hormone levels had the exact patterns in both age groups; however, the levels were higher in the younger men. Were these differences due to aging? Were they due to the increased exercise intensities within the younger group?
Unfortunately, that could not be determined. Though, it would have been quite fascinating to compare growth hormone responses in both young and older men with the exact exercise capacity and power output.
Source: Chronobiology International, 2:159-1177, 2007
