Change in Lactate, Ammonia, and Hypoxanthine Concentrations in a 1-Year Training Cycle in Highly Trained Athletes: Applying Biomarkers as Tools to Assess Training Status

Wlodarczyk, M, Kusy, K, Slominska, E, Krasinski, Z, and Zielinski, J. Change in lactate, ammonia, and hypoxanthine concentrations in a 1-year training cycle in highly trained athletes: applying biomarkers as tools to assess training status. J Strength Cond Res 34(2): 355-364, 2020-The aim was to determine changes in biomarker (LA, NH3, purine metabolites) blood concentration during graded exercise and recovery throughout an annual training cycle in highly trained athletes of different training profiles. The study included 12 sprinters (SP, 21-30 years), 11 triathletes (TR, 20-31 years), 12 futsal players (FU, 19-31 years), and 13 amateur runners (AM, 20-33 years). Purine metabolite (hypoxanthine, xanthine, uric acid), ammonia (NH3), and lactate (LA) concentrations were determined at rest, during an incremental treadmill exercise test (every 3 minutes), and during recovery (5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes postexercise) in 4 phases of an annual training cycle. Purine metabolite concentration was determined from plasma, whereas LA and NH3 from whole blood. For LA during exercise and recovery, certain significant differences between training phases within groups were observed for FU, TR, and SP but not for AM. For NH3, the greatest differences between examination points were observed for SP and TR near maximal exercise and in the first few stages of recovery. For hypoxanthine (Hx), the largest amount of differences between examination points was observed for FU, TR, and FU throughout the entire exercise spectrum. Biomarker concentration dynamics change during an incremental exercise test and postexercise in an annual training cycle. Biomarker responses differ depending on training type and magnitude of training loads used in various phases of an annual training cycle. When assessing training status using an incremental exercise test throughout an annual training cycle, NH3 and Hx concentration changes are more sensitive compared with LA.