Gender Differences in Chronic Hormonal and Immunological Responses to CrossFit ®

Rodrigo Poderoso, Maria Cirilo-Sousa, Adenilson Júnior, Jefferson Novaes, Jeferson Vianna, Marcelo Dias, Luis Leitão, Victor Reis, Nacipe Neto and José Vilaça-Alves
Additional contact information
Rodrigo Poderoso: Physical Education Department, University of Unopar, Nilópolis 36045–050, Brazil
Maria Cirilo-Sousa: Physical Education Department, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051–900, Brazil
Adenilson Júnior: Federal Technology Institute of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58015–020, Brazil
Jefferson Novaes: Gymnastics Department, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941–901, Brazil
Jeferson Vianna: Faculty of Physical Education Sports, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, São Pedro 36036-900, Brazil
Marcelo Dias: Granbery Methodist College, Juiz de Fora 36015–440, Brazil
Luis Leitão: Faculty of Physical Education Sports, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, São Pedro 36036-900, Brazil
Victor Reis: Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, Vila Real 5000–103, Portugal
Nacipe Neto: Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences of Juiz de Fora, Suprema, Juiz de Fora 36033–003, Brazil
José Vilaça-Alves: Sports Department, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto-Douro, Vila Real 5001–801, Portugal

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-9

Abstract: This study was designed to analyze the chronical responses of the hormonal and immune systems after a CrossFit ® training period of six months as well as to compare these results between genders. Twenty-nine CrossFit ® practitioners (35.3 ± 10.4 years, 175.0 ± 9.2 cm, 79.5 ± 16.4 kg) with a minimum CrossFit ® experience of six months were recruited, and hormonal and immune responses were verified every two months during training. The training was conducted in five consecutive days during the week, followed by two resting days. Testosterone (T) values were significantly higher at the last measurement time (T6 = 346.0 ± 299.7 pg·mL −1 ) than at all the other times ( p < 0.002) and were higher in men than in women ( p < 0.001). Cortisol (C) levels were lower at all times compared to the initial level before training, and differences were observed between men and women, with men having a lower value (T0: p = 0.028; T2: p = 0.013; T4: p = 0.002; and T6: p = 0.002). The TC ratio in women was lower at all times ( p < 0.0001) than in men. Significant effects on CD8 levels at different times (F (3.81) = 7.287; p = 0.002; η p 2 = 0.213) and between genders (F (1.27) = 4.282; p = 0.048; η p 2 = 0.137), and no differences in CD4 levels were observed. CrossFit ® training changed the serum and basal levels of testosterone and cortisol in men (with an increase in testosterone and a decrease in cortisol).

Keywords: CrossFit; hormonal responses; immunological responses; RPE (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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