Short-term resource allocation during extensive athletic competition

Authors: Longman, D.P., Prall, S.P., Shattuck, E.C., Stephen, I.D., Stock, J.T., Wells, J.C.K. and Muehlenbein, M.P.

Journal: American Journal of Human Biology

Volume: 30

Issue: 1

eISSN: 1520-6300

ISSN: 1042-0533

DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23052

Abstract:

Objectives: Following predictions from life history theory, we sought to identify acute trade-offs between reproductive effort (as measured by psychological arousal) and somatic maintenance (via functional measures of innate immunity) during conditions of severe energetic imbalance. Methods: Sixty-six male ultramarathon runners (ages 20 to 37 years) were sampled before and after a lengthy race. Saliva and sera were collected for testosterone and immunological analyses (hemolytic complement activity and bacterial killing ability). Lean body mass was assessed by bioelectrical impedance, and libido was measured using a slideshow of arousing and neutral images. Results: Following predictions, there was a significant decrease in salivary testosterone levels (109.59 pg/mL versus 97.61 pg/mL, P <.001) and arousal scores in response to provocative images (5.40 versus 4.89, P =.001) between prerace and postrace time points. Additionally, participant bacterial killing ability (P =.035) and hemolytic complement activity (P =.021) increased between prerace and postrace. Conclusions: Decreased libido and testosterone with concomitant heightened innate immune responses suggest a shift in energetic priorities away from reproduction and toward maintenance/defense during a period of energetic stress.

Source: Scopus

Short-term resource allocation during extensive athletic competition.

Authors: Longman, D.P., Prall, S.P., Shattuck, E.C., Stephen, I.D., Stock, J.T., Wells, J.C.K. and Muehlenbein, M.P.

Journal: Am J Hum Biol

Volume: 30

Issue: 1

eISSN: 1520-6300

DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23052

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: Following predictions from life history theory, we sought to identify acute trade-offs between reproductive effort (as measured by psychological arousal) and somatic maintenance (via functional measures of innate immunity) during conditions of severe energetic imbalance. METHODS: Sixty-six male ultramarathon runners (ages 20 to 37 years) were sampled before and after a lengthy race. Saliva and sera were collected for testosterone and immunological analyses (hemolytic complement activity and bacterial killing ability). Lean body mass was assessed by bioelectrical impedance, and libido was measured using a slideshow of arousing and neutral images. RESULTS: Following predictions, there was a significant decrease in salivary testosterone levels (109.59 pg/mL versus 97.61 pg/mL, P < .001) and arousal scores in response to provocative images (5.40 versus 4.89, P = .001) between prerace and postrace time points. Additionally, participant bacterial killing ability (P = .035) and hemolytic complement activity (P = .021) increased between prerace and postrace. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased libido and testosterone with concomitant heightened innate immune responses suggest a shift in energetic priorities away from reproduction and toward maintenance/defense during a period of energetic stress.

Source: PubMed

Short-term resource allocation during extensive athletic competition

Authors: Longman, D.P., Prall, S.P., Shattuck, E.C., Stephen, I.D., Stock, J.T., Wells, J.C.K. and Muehlenbein, M.P.

Journal: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY

Volume: 30

Issue: 1

eISSN: 1520-6300

ISSN: 1042-0533

DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23052

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Short-term resource allocation during extensive athletic competition.

Authors: Longman, D.P., Prall, S.P., Shattuck, E.C., Stephen, I.D., Stock, J.T., Wells, J.C.K. and Muehlenbein, M.P.

Journal: American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council

Volume: 30

Issue: 1

eISSN: 1520-6300

ISSN: 1042-0533

DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23052

Abstract:

Objectives

Following predictions from life history theory, we sought to identify acute trade-offs between reproductive effort (as measured by psychological arousal) and somatic maintenance (via functional measures of innate immunity) during conditions of severe energetic imbalance.

Methods

Sixty-six male ultramarathon runners (ages 20 to 37 years) were sampled before and after a lengthy race. Saliva and sera were collected for testosterone and immunological analyses (hemolytic complement activity and bacterial killing ability). Lean body mass was assessed by bioelectrical impedance, and libido was measured using a slideshow of arousing and neutral images.

Results

Following predictions, there was a significant decrease in salivary testosterone levels (109.59 pg/mL versus 97.61 pg/mL, P < .001) and arousal scores in response to provocative images (5.40 versus 4.89, P = .001) between prerace and postrace time points. Additionally, participant bacterial killing ability (P = .035) and hemolytic complement activity (P = .021) increased between prerace and postrace.

Conclusions

Decreased libido and testosterone with concomitant heightened innate immune responses suggest a shift in energetic priorities away from reproduction and toward maintenance/defense during a period of energetic stress.

Source: Europe PubMed Central