The effects of maximal aerobic exercise on cortisol and thyroid hormones in male field hockey players

Some metabolic and endocrine functions might be influenced by exercise and it leads to changed concentrations of hormone secretions in humans. In order to determine the changes of thyroid hormones (THs) related to shuttle run exercise (SRE),  14 field hockey players and their thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) free T3 (fT3), free T4 (fT4) were included in this study, and cortisol levels were measured three times; before the exercise,  just after the exercise and one hour later after exercise. The results of this study showed that there were no statistically significant differences among three measurements in the serum levels of TSH and thyroid hormones. However, both fT3 and TSH were significantly decreased in one hour later after exercise, whereas no change was observed in fT4. Cortisol concentrations were slightly increased immediately after SRE. In conclusion, serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone and thyroid hormones were affected by maximal aerobic exercise.   Key words: Thyroid hormones (THs), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) free T3 (fT3), freeT4 (fT4), cortisol, shuttle run exercise (SRE).