Goto, K., Higashiyama, M., Ishii, N., & Takmatsu, K. (2005). Prior endurance exercise attenuates growth hormone response to subsequent resistance exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 37(5), Supplement abstract 1249.

Males (N = 10) exercised on a cycle ergometer at 50% of maximal oxygen uptake for 60 minutes and then completed a resistance exercise (4 x 10 repetitions of bench press and leg press with an interest rest of 90 seconds). A trial without pre-endurance exercise was also conducted.

There were no significant differences between the two conditions for glucose, lactate, total testosterone, and cortisol. Free fatty acid concentration was increased after the endurance-resistance exercises. Growth hormone increased slightly after endurance exercise in the endurance-resistance condition. Growth hormone, compared to its pre-exercise value, increased post-exercise in the resistance-only condition whereas in the endurance-resistance trial, it decreased. Growth hormone was significantly greater after the resistance-only exercise compared to the endurance-resistance exercise.

Implication. When endurance exercise precedes resistance exercise, the growth hormone response is attenuated.

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