Daichi Sumi

Elevated Serum Hepcidin Levels during an Intensified Training Period in Well-Trained Female Long-Distance Runners

Iron is essential for providing oxygen to working muscles during exercise, and iron deficiency leads to decreased exercise capacity during endurance events. However, the mechanism of iron deficiency among endurance athletes remains unclear. In this study, we compared iron status between two periods involving different training regimens. Sixteen female long-distance runners participated. Over a seven-month period, fasting blood samples were collected during their regular training period (LOW; middle of February) and during an intensified training period (INT; late of August) to determine blood hematological, iron, and inflammatory parameters. Three-day food diaries were also assessed. Body weight and lean body mass did not differ significantly between LOW and INT, while body fat and body fat percentage were significantly lower in INT (p < 0.05). Blood hemoglobin, serum ferritin, total protein, and iron levels, total iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation did not differ significantly between the two periods. Serum hepcidin levels were significantly higher during INT than LOW (p < 0.05). Carbohydrate and iron intakes from the daily diet were significantly higher during INT than LOW (p < 0.05). In conclusion, an elevated hepcidin level was observed during an intensified training period in long-distance runners, despite an apparently adequate daily intake of iron.

Impact of 5 Days of Sprint Training in Hypoxia on Performance and Muscle Energy Substances

The present study was designed to determine the effect of 5 consecutive days of repeated sprint training under hypoxia on anaerobic performance and energy substances. Nineteen male sprinters performed repeated sprints for 5 consecutive days under a hypoxic (HYPO; fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO2], 14.5%) or normoxic (NOR; FiO2, 20.9%) condition. Before and after the training period, 10-s maximal sprint, repeated sprint ability (5×6-s sprints), 30-s maximal sprint, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) tests were conducted. Muscle glycogen and PCr contents were evaluated using carbon magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C-MRS) and phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS), respectively. The HYPO group showed significant increases in power output during the 10-s maximal sprint (P=0.004) and repeated sprint test (P=0.004), whereas the NOR group showed no significant change after the training period. Muscle glycogen and PCr contents increased significantly in both groups (P<0.05, respectively). However, relative increases were not significantly different between groups. These findings indicated that 5 consecutive days of repeated sprint training under hypoxic conditions increased maximal power output in competitive sprinters. Furthermore, short-term sprint training significantly augmented muscle glycogen and PCr contents with little added benefit from training in hypoxia.

Post-exercise serum hepcidin levels were unaffected by hypoxic exposure during prolonged exercise sessions

The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of hypoxic exposure during prolonged endurance exercise sessions (79 min in total) on post-exercise hepcidin levels in trained male endurance athletes. Ten endurance athletes (mean ± standard deviation; height: 169.8 ± 7.1 cm, weight: 57.1 ± 5.0 kg) conducted two endurance exercise sessions under either a normobaric hypoxic condition [inspired O2 fraction (FiO2) = 14.5%] or a normoxic condition (FiO2 = 20.9%). Exercise consisted of 10 × 3 min running on a treadmill at 95% of maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) with 60s of active rest at 60% of V˙O2max. After 10 min of rest, they subsequently performed 30 min of continuous running at 85% of V˙O2max. Running velocities were significantly lower in the HYPO than in the NOR (P < 0.0001). Exercise-induced blood lactate elevation was significantly greater in the HYPO (P < 0.01). There were significant increases in plasma interleukin-6, serum iron, and blood glucose levels after exercise, with no significant difference between the trials [interaction (trial × time) or main effect for trial, P > 0.05]. Serum hepcidin levels increased significantly 120 min after exercise (HYPO: from 10.7 ± 9.4 ng/mL to 15.8 ± 11.2 ng/mL; NOR: from 7.9 ± 4.7 ng/mL to 13.2 ± 7.9 ng/mL, P < 0.05), and no difference was observed between the trials. In conclusion, endurance exercise at lower running velocity in hypoxic conditions resulted in similar post-exercise hepcidin elevations as higher running velocity in normoxic conditions.