Luetkemeier, M. J., LaPorte, J. A., & Davis, J. E. (2007). Proteinuria after sprint and endurance-type exercise at moderate altitude. ACSM Annual Meeting New Orleans, Presentation Number, 924.

This study evaluated sprint and endurance-type exercises on urinary protein excretion at moderate altitude (3,416 m). The initial change that occurred upon arrival at altitude, the acclimatization that occurs from living at altitude for 17-days, and the normalization that happens upon returning to sea level were also considered. This study was undertaken on two separate expeditions to moderate altitude by two separate groups conducted two years apart.

On the 2003 expedition, six Ss performed a series of 1-minute sprints to exhaustion on a stationary bicycle at an intensity that elicited 100% VO2max. On the 2005 expedition, five Ss performed 45-minutes of continuous exercise on a stationary bicycle at 70% of heart rate reserve. Urine samples were collected before and after exercise. Urine protein and creatinine concentrations were measured and protein excretion was expressed as a ratio of protein to creatinine.

Urinary protein excretion increased with the sprint exercise but not the endurance activity. Urine protein excretion after the sprint exercise was slowed by ascent to altitude, made worse by prolonged stay and altitude, and persisted upon return to sea level. Urine protein excretion after the endurance exercise was not significantly affected by initial or prolonged exposure to altitude.

Implication. The excretion of protein from the kidney is increased following sprint-type exercise and the amount is amplified when sprint-type exercise is performed at moderate altitude.

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