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Effect of Glucocorticoids on Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clin J Sport Med 2022; 32:e151-e159. [PMID: 34009793 DOI: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000000911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of glucocorticoids in enhancing athletic performance. DESIGN At least 2 independent reviewers conducted study selection and extracted demographic and outcome data. Relevant outcomes were stratified by administration time frame and the specific type of drug used. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool and the Cochrane Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Education scale. Where appropriate, meta-analyses were performed. Data sources: Embase, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus were searched from their beginning to April 2020. PARTICIPANTS Participants of any sex and training status aged 18 to 65 years were included. INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Any type of published randomized controlled trial (RCT) that examined any enhancement in sport as well as aerobic, anaerobic, or body compositional parameters for glucocorticoids compared with placebo. RESULTS There is low-to-moderate evidence suggesting that the administration of glucocorticoids may be more beneficial than placebo in enhancing athletic performance. short-term administration of glucocorticoids significantly improved time to exhaustion, maximal force, and total distance travelled. By contrast, acute administration of glucocorticoids predominantly yielded no changes to athletic performance, except for reductions in total work and maximal power output. CONCLUSIONS Although there is evidence suggesting glucocorticoids have ergogenic effects, these improvements may differ depending on the specific type of drug, dose, and the administration time frame and are also limited by small sample sizes. Therefore, there is a need for large, high-quality RCTs as this may influence future doping policy and athlete care.
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Roerink SHPP, Cocks MS, Wagenmakers MAEM, Rodighiero RP, Strauss JA, Shepherd SO, Plantinga TS, Thijssen DHJ, Hopman MTE, Pereira AM, Smit JW, Wagenmakers AJM, Netea-Maier RT, Hermus ARMM. Decreased Aerobic Exercise Capacity After Long-Term Remission From Cushing Syndrome: Exploration of Mechanisms. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5681573. [PMID: 31858120 PMCID: PMC7067548 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgz286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although major improvements are achieved after cure of Cushing syndrome (CS), fatigue and decreased quality of life persist. This is the first study to measure aerobic exercise capacity in patients in remission of CS for more than 4 years in comparison with matched controls, and to investigate whether the reduction in exercise capacity is related to alterations in muscle tissue. METHODS Seventeen patients were included. A control individual, matched for sex, estrogen status, age, body mass index, smoking, ethnicity, and physical activity level was recruited for each patient. Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2peak) was assessed during incremental bicycle exercise to exhaustion. In 8 individually matched patients and controls, a percutaneous muscle biopsy was obtained and measures were made of cross-sectional areas, capillarization, and oxphos complex IV (COXIV) protein content as an indicator of mitochondrial content. Furthermore, protein content of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and eNOS phosphorylated on serine1177 and of the NAD(P)H-oxidase subunits NOX2, p47phox, and p67phox were measured in the microvascular endothelial layer. FINDINGS Patients showed a lower mean VO2peak (SD) (28.0 [7.0] vs 34.8 [7.9] ml O2/kg bw/min, P < .01), maximal workload (SD) (176 [49] vs 212 [67] watt, P = .01), and oxygen pulse (SD) (12.0 [3.7] vs 14.8 [4.2] ml/beat, P < .01) at VO2peak. No differences were seen in muscle fiber type-specific cross-sectional area, capillarization measures, mitochondrial content, and protein content of eNOS, eNOS-P-ser1177, NOX2, p47phox, and p67phox. INTERPRETATION Because differences in muscle fiber and microvascular outcome measures are not statistically significant, we hypothesize that cardiac dysfunction, seen in active CS, persists during remission and limits blood supply to muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean H P P Roerink
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, the Netherlands
- Correspondence: Sean H. P. P. Roerink, MD, Department of Endocrinology (471), PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands. E-mail:
| | - Matthew S Cocks
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Margreet A E M Wagenmakers
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Raffaella P Rodighiero
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Juliette A Strauss
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sam O Shepherd
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Theo S Plantinga
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Dick H J Thijssen
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Physiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Maria T E Hopman
- Department of Physiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Alberto M Pereira
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jan W Smit
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Anton J M Wagenmakers
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Romana T Netea-Maier
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ad R M M Hermus
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Glucocorticoid prescribing habits of sports medicine physicians working in high-performance sport: a 30-nation survey. Br J Sports Med 2020; 54:402-407. [DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-101175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
ObjectivesGlucocorticoids are commonly prescribed in medicine. When administered via certain routes, glucocorticoids are prohibited for incompetition use by WADA. The glucocorticoid prescribing habits of sports medicine doctors have not been reported.MethodsAn online survey was distributed internationally to physicians working in high-performance sports. The survey queried the doctors about their use of glucocorticoids with athletes and their understanding of WADA’s regulations regarding glucocorticoid use in competition.Results603 sports medicine doctors from 30 different countries participated. The majority (>85%) routinely injected glucocorticoids and/or prescribed glucocorticoids by other routes. There were substantial differences in the common routes of injection as well as types of glucocorticoid used among the physicians from various countries. A relatively small percentage of sports doctors (<25%) accurately identified which routes of glucocorticoid administration are prohibited in competition by WADA. There was a great variation in how long before competition the use of glucocorticoids would cause the doctor to consider applying for a therapeutic use exemption (TUE). A better understanding of the clearance rates of glucocorticoids from athletes’ bodies would greatly aid sports medicine doctors’ decisions on how and when to apply for a TUE. A small number of doctors had observed side effects of glucocorticoid administration, with the majority of side effects being minor in nature.ConclusionGlucocorticoids are widely prescribed by sports physicians. There is a need to better educate sports physicians on the current WADA regulations in relation to glucocorticoid administration.
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Lipowska MM, Sadowska ET, Bauchinger U, Koteja P. Stress coping and evolution of aerobic exercise performance: corticosterone levels in voles from a selection experiment. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.209593. [PMID: 31548286 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.209593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The locomotor performance achieved in a challenging situation depends not only on physiological limitations, such as the aerobic exercise capacity, but also on behavioral characteristics, such as adequate coping with stress. The stress response is mediated largely by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, through modulated release of glucocorticoids. We used a unique experimental evolution model system to test the hypothesis that the evolution of an increased aerobic exercise performance can be facilitated by modification of the glucocorticoid-related stress-coping mechanisms. Bank voles (Myodes glareolus) from 'aerobic' (A) lines, selected for 22 generations for high maximum swim-induced rate of oxygen consumption (V̇ O2,swim), achieved a 64% higher V̇ O2,swim than those from unselected, control lines. The temporal pattern of exercise during the swimming trial also evolved, and the A-line voles achieved V̇ O2,swim later in the course of the trial, which indicates a modification of the stress response characteristics. Both V̇ O2,swim and the average metabolic rate measured during the trial tended to increase with baseline corticosterone level, and decreased with the post-exercise corticosterone level. Thus, increased baseline corticosterone level promotes high metabolic performance, but a high corticosterone response to swimming acts as an inhibitor rather than stimulator of intense activity. However, neither of the corticosterone traits differed between the A-selected and control lines. Thus, the experiment did not provide evidence that evolution of increased aerobic performance is facilitated by the modification of glucocorticoid levels. The results, however, do not exclude the possibility that other aspects of the HPA axis function evolved in response to the selection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edyta T Sadowska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Ulf Bauchinger
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Paweł Koteja
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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Tacey A, Parker L, Yeap BB, Joseph J, Lim EM, Garnham A, Hare DL, Brennan-Speranza T, Levinger I. Single-dose prednisolone alters endocrine and haematologic responses and exercise performance in men. Endocr Connect 2019; 8:111-119. [PMID: 30673629 PMCID: PMC6373622 DOI: 10.1530/ec-18-0473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a single dose of prednisolone on (A) high-intensity interval cycling performance and (B) post-exercise metabolic, hormonal and haematological responses. Nine young men participated in this double-blind, randomised, cross-over study. The participants completed exercise sessions (4 × 4 min cycling bouts at 90-95% of peak heart rate), 12 h after ingesting prednisolone (20 mg) or placebo. Work load was adjusted to maintain the same relative heart rate between the sessions. Exercise performance was measured as total work performed. Blood samples were taken at rest, immediately post exercise and up to 3 h post exercise. Prednisolone ingestion decreased total work performed by 5% (P < 0.05). Baseline blood glucose was elevated following prednisolone compared to placebo (P < 0.001). Three hours post exercise, blood glucose in the prednisolone trial was reduced to a level equivalent to the baseline concentration in the placebo trial (P > 0.05). Prednisolone suppressed the increase in blood lactate immediately post exercise (P < 0.05). Total white blood cell count was elevated at all time-points with prednisolone (P < 0.01). Androgens and sex hormone-binding globulin were elevated immediately after exercise, irrespective of prednisolone or placebo. In contrast, prednisolone significantly reduced the ratio of testosterone/luteinizing hormone (P < 0.01). Acute prednisolone treatment impairs high-intensity interval cycling performance and alters metabolic and haematological parameters in healthy young men. Exercise may be an effective tool to minimise the effect of prednisolone on blood glucose levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Tacey
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine-Western Health, Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lewan Parker
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bu B Yeap
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, and Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - John Joseph
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ee M Lim
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew Garnham
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David L Hare
- University of Melbourne and the Department of Cardiology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tara Brennan-Speranza
- Department of Physiology and Bosch Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Itamar Levinger
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine-Western Health, Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Correspondence should be addressed to I Levinger:
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