The Importance of Endocrine System - Essay Example

The Short-term Endocrine Responses to Resistance Training and Subsequent Effects on Neuromuscular Performance / Course Date Total Number of Words: 4,114 Introduction The endocrine system enables the internal environment of the human body to become stable by releasing homes such as testosterone, cortisol, corticosteroids, growth hormone, insulin, and insulin like growth factor. Basically, the hormones are substances that were secreted out of the endocrine glands. The endocrine system is important part of the human body since it regulates the human growth and development aside from the reproductive system and the capability of the human body to handle physical and psychological stress. External stressor such as exercise can effectively stimulate the endocrine to release the hormones out of the endocrine gland. To enable the readers to have a better understanding of the subject matter, the endocrine system and its major function will first be described. Eventually, the short-term endocrine responses to resistance training including its subsequent effects on neuromuscular performance will be tackled in details. In the process of going through the main discussion, a literature review on peer reviewed journals will be conducted as a way of determining the research findings of several authors with regards to this subject matter. It is given that endogenous production of testosterone in a human body can be suppressed with the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs. As part of addressing the research question, several research studies that has tried testing the importance of testosterone level in increasing the muscle mass and strength will be gathered, compared, and contrast. Eventually, a total of five physical fitness and/or sports trainers will be randomly selected for a personal interview. Based on the research findings of several past and current research studies and the research interview results, whether or not the levels of testosterone present in the male human body is responsible for the increase in neuromuscular performance among the athletes will be answered in details. Rationale for Choosing the Research Topic Because of my personal interest in sports activities like soccer, I have personally selected the research topic to increase my knowledge on the importance of endocrine system and how it is expected to respond to resistant training. Since the neuromuscular performance of people who are active in sports activities are better than those who live a sedentary life, knowing the short-term endocrine responses to resistance training will enable me to fully understand the factors that makes the neuromuscular performance of active people better than those individuals who do not have so much physical activities. Basically, addressing the research questions as provided in this study will enable the target audiences which include not only the health care professionals who are dealing with neuromuscular strength and resistance training but also those athletic individuals who may find the proposed research topic interesting. By knowing whether or not the levels of testosterone that is present among the male individuals could be responsible for the increase in neuromuscular performance of people who are active in sports, these people would have a better idea and understanding on how the intake of GnRH analogs supplement could be an advantage or disadvantage not only to the development of their muscular strength but also in their overall physical health and wellness. Objective of the Research Study To be able to determine the degree on how resistance training could significantly affect the endocrine response during and after going through a tedious physical exercise. Research Hypothesis Because of the increase in the release of growth and testosterone hormone, the short-term endocrine response to resistance training can strengthen the neuromuscular performance of people who are active in sports activities. Research Question(s) The following research questions will be considered in this study: Does increasing the testosterone level among the athletes is best in terms of increasing their neuromuscular performance after going through resistance training? What is the overall impact taking GnRH analogs supplement over the health and wellness of the athletes? Is it safe to consume GnRH analogs? Are there any adverse health consequences after taking GnRH analogs for a specific period of time? What will happen if the athlete decided to overdose himself with GnRH analogs supplement? Is there a possible link between anabolic hormones and muscle strength of people who receive resistance training? How does the anabolic hormone link with the presence of testosterone? Does the administration of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) help increase the muscle mass and strength of the athletes? Significance of the Research Study This particular research study will be useful on the part of individuals who are very much interested in knowing the factors that increases the neuromuscular performance of the people who are active in sports activities. Likewise, the research findings which will be presented on this study would benefit the health care professionals who are specializing in neuromuscular activities. Through the gathered literature review, the target audiences for this study will be able to understand better how they can maximize the health and physical benefits they receive out of going through the process of resistance training. Definition of Words Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS) – a type of steroids used to increase the masculinising hormones, androstenedione, and testosterone level in human body. (Farlex, 2009) Anabolism – “energy-requiring building phase of metabolism in which simpler substances are combined to form more complex substances” (Marieb, 2004, p. 553). Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) Analogs – “are synthetic derivatives of the native hypothalamic peptide with alterations in their chemical structure that result in changes in biologic activity” (Casper, 1991). Hormone – “a chemical substance produced in the body which has specific regulatory effect on the activity of certain cells and organs” (Farlex, 2009). Human Growth Hormone (HGH) – “a polypeptide (non-steroid) hormone released by the pituary gland to increase the transport of amino acids over the cell membranes and increase the synthesis of muscle protein, connective tissue, bone and cartilage which promotes human growth” (Peterson, 2009). Resistance Training or isometric exercises – type of exercises that are exclusively designed to encourage people to force the muscles to contract. (Marieb, 2004, p. 175) Testosterone – “male sex hormone that is responsible for the increase in muscle mass and strength in men” (Peterson, 2009). The Endocrine System and Its Major Function The endocrine system is primarily composed of the pituary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, thymus gland, adrenal gland, pancreas, ovaries, and testes. (Marieb, 2004, p. 283) Basically, the main function of endocrine system is to “maintain homeostasis by releasing chemicals known as hormones aside from controlling the prolonged or continuous process related to the growth and development, reproduction, and metabolism” of an individual (p. 279). Since endocrine glands have no ducts, the hormones that are secreted by each gland re transmitted to the different parts of the human body through the bloodstream or lymph. The pituary gland which is located at the inferior surface of the hypothalamus in the brain is composed of the following: (1) anterior pituary stimulates secretion of body organs made of the glandular tissue; (2) the posterior pituary which controls the hormonal secretions of organs made of nervous tissue. (Marieb, 2004, pp. 81 – 86, p. 284) In other words, it is the pituary gland that is mainly responsible for the regulation and hormonal secretion of the different endocrine glands. Among the commonly secreted hormones which affects the development of muscle strength include: (1) thyrotropin – responsible for the activity of the thyroid gland; (2) gonadotropic hormones – releases the follicle-stimulating hormose (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and the luteotropic hormone (LTH) which are responsible for the control the activities of growth and reproductive system; and (3) somatotropic hormone – controls the growth of body tissues. (pp. 297 – 298) Homeostasis is achieved when the blood glucose levels in the human body is 90mg/100ml (Marieb, 2004, p. 296). Metabolism takes place as a result of burning the food we consume. For instance: The thyroid gland which produces the metabolic hormone in the body is composed of the active iodine-containing hormones, thyroxine (T4), and the triiodothyronine (T3). It is the thyroid hormone is responsible in the burning of sugar (glucose) in the human body. Basically, the ability of men to burn fat increases the development of muscle mass and strength. In case the pituary gland fails to function well, the physical growth and development of an individual including metabolism is negatively affected. Recent Studies on the Short-term Endocrine Responses to Resistance Training Anabolic steroid which is also known as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) is a type of steroid hormone that is closely related to testosterone – a type of hormone that is commonly found in male (Hansen et al., 2001). Considering that anabolic steroids contains androgenic and virilizing properties which are necessary for the growth and development of masculine character like the growth of body hair and changes in the vocal cords. Because of the masculine characteristics that are often caused by the presence of anabolic steroid, the American College of Sports Medicine high recommends the use of this substance as a therapeutic medicine that will stimulate the bone growth, increase in body weight and lean mass aside (Powers, 2005, p. 330). Likewise, allowing a person to do high-intensity exercise combined with proper diet can improve the athletes’ ability to develop muscular strength. A recent study shows that people who have engaged themselves on resistance training could temporarily secrete anabolic steroids. Considering the fact that women does not necessarily have testosterone in the body, it remains unclear why women who goes through resistance training could also secrete anabolic steroids right after going through resistance training (Taylor et al., 2000). Similar to the analysis made by Taylor et al. (2000), several other research studies revealed that it is possible that the growth hormone is responsible for the increase in the development of protein synthesis which makes it capable of releasing the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) that produces the anabolic steroids in the human body (Hansen et al., 2001; Kraemer et al., 1999; Hakkinen & Pakarinen, 1993). In line with this matter, it has been noted in several other research studies that the presence of endogenous testosterone combined with the presence of growth hormone, IGF-I, the insulin and cortisol hormone are basically responsible for the increase in the muscle protein synthesis or changes in the muscle strength after going through strength training program (Viru, Viru, & Bosco, 2003; Tipton & Wolfe, 2001; MacDougall et al., 1995; Yarasheski, Zachwieja, & Bier, 1993; Chesley et al., 1992). For instance: Women who go through a series of weight lifting training performs not only bench press but also leg press, seated shoulder press, leg extension, lat pulldown, biceps curl, and triceps pushdown. (Taylor et al., 2000) For this reason, women who perform the seven types of exercise are most likely to secrete more cortisol hormone which is responsible for the release of insulin-like growth factor and the production of anabolic steroids as compared to women who are not into weight lifting program. Therefore, female weight lifters are likely to secrete the anabolic steroids than those who choose not to lift weights. Although it was explained by Taylor et al. (2000) that the production of cortisol hormone is responsible for the release of insulin-like growth factor and the production of anabolic steriods, the research study that was conducted by Kraemer et al. (1999) revealed that the cortisol level of older individuals tend to decrease in response to the stress they receive from the heavy-resistance training exercise as compared to younger men. It simply means that the secretion of some hormone like the cortisol decreases as we age. Despite the fact that there are several research studies that has tried to determine the interaction between the levels of strength training, the circulating endogenous testosterone, the increase in the protein synthesis, muscle hypertrophy, and increase in muscle strength (Hansen et al., 2001; Tipton & Wolfe, 2001; Yarasheski, Zachwieja, & Bier, 1993), there is really no single study that could clearly explain the interaction among these variables. Despite the limited explanation with regards to the proposed research topic, it was noted in some research studies that the presence of anabolic steroids produce a significant effect on their skeletal muscles after the exogenous testosterone supplement was consumed by the trainees’ (Storer et al., 2003; Bhasin, et al., 2001; Bhasin et al., 1996). Several studies suggest that there is a strong relationship between the levels of testosterone concentration in the human body with the size and strength of the muscles among individuals who are taking a fat-free diet. (Storer et al., 2003; Alonso-Solis et al., 1996) One way to increase the testosterone levels among men it to take gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs which is responsible in inhibiting the pituitary secretion of the LH and the production of testosterone coming from the testis. (Cockshott, 2000) By allowing men to receive the GnRH treatment, there is a strong possibility that men who receive resistance training would experience increase in protein synthesis aside from the significant increase in their muscle strength and fat oxidation (Mauras et al., 1998). Effects of Endocrine Responses to Resistance Training on Neuromuscular Performance Upon examining the endogenous hormonal responses of the trainees to heavy-resistance exercises, Hakkinen and Pakarinen (1993) found out that the concentration level of the serum testosterone and free testosterone (P Read More