Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 71, 1468-1473, Copyright © 1990 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Influence of physical activity on insulin-like growth factor-I in healthy younger and older men

ET Poehlman and KC Copeland
Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington 05405.

To examine the hypothesis that a lower level of physical activity influences the age-related decline in insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF- I), we measured serum concentrations in healthy nonobese younger and older men, characterized for maximal aerobic capacity (VO2 max) and energy expended in leisure time physical activity. To examine the independent influence of physical activity on IGF-I relative to other lifestyle variables, we also determined fat-free weight, percent body fat, body fat distribution (waist to hip and waist to thigh ratios), and habitual caloric intake in our population. IGF-I was 33% lower (P less than 0.01) in older men than in younger men, inversely related to percent body fat (r = -0.55) and indices of upper body fat distribution (waist to hip ratio, r = -0.45; waist to thigh ratio, r = -0.47), and positively related to VO2 max (r = 0.64) and leisure time physical activity (r = 0.45; P less than 0.01). IGF-I was not related to fat- free weight or daily caloric intake. After controlling for the effects of age by multiple regression analysis, VO2 max (r = 0.29) and leisure time physical activity (r = 0.24) were the sole factors independently related to IGF-I (P less than 0.05). Our results suggest that multiple factors contribute to the age-related decline in IGF-I. Lower levels of IGF-I in aging men are related at least in part to diminished physical activity.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Gibney, M.-L. Healy, and P. H. Sonksen The Growth Hormone/Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Axis in Exercise and Sport Endocr. Rev., October 1, 2007; 28(6): 603 - 624. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. A. Bauman, S. C. Kirshblum, N. G. Morrison, C. M. Cirnigliaro, R.-L. Zhang, and A. M. Spungen Effect of Low-Dose Baclofen Administration on Plasma Insulin-like Growth Factor-I in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury. J. Clin. Pharmacol., April 1, 2006; 46(4): 476 - 482. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P Sarzi-Puttini, F Atzeni, J Scholmerich, M Cutolo, and R H Straub Anti-TNF antibody treatment improves glucocorticoid induced insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) resistance without influencing myoglobin and IGF1 binding proteins 1 and 3 Ann Rheum Dis, March 1, 2006; 65(3): 301 - 305. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M Elloumi, N El Elj, M Zaouali, F Maso, E Filaire, Z Tabka, and G Lac IGFBP-3, a sensitive marker of physical training and overtraining Br. J. Sports Med., September 1, 2005; 39(9): 604 - 610. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. L. Ballard, J. A Clapper, B. L Specker, T. L Binkley, and M. D Vukovich Effect of protein supplementation during a 6-mo strength and conditioning program on insulin-like growth factor I and markers of bone turnover in young adults Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, June 1, 2005; 81(6): 1442 - 1448. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Berggren, C. Ehrnborg, T. Rosen, L. Ellegard, B.-A. Bengtsson, and K. Caidahl Short-Term Administration of Supraphysiological Recombinant Human Growth Hormone (GH) Does Not Increase Maximum Endurance Exercise Capacity in Healthy, Active Young Men and Women with Normal GH-Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Axes J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2005; 90(6): 3268 - 3273. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M.-L. Healy, R. Dall, J. Gibney, E. Bassett, C. Ehrnborg, C. Pentecost, T. Rosen, A. Cittadini, R. C. Baxter, and P. H. Sonksen Toward the Development of a Test for Growth Hormone (GH) Abuse: A Study of Extreme Physiological Ranges of GH-Dependent Markers in 813 Elite Athletes in the Postcompetition Setting J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 2005; 90(2): 641 - 649. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. M. Gapstur, P. Kopp, B. C-H. Chiu, P. H. Gann, L. A. Colangelo, and K. Liu Longitudinal Associations of Age, Anthropometric and Lifestyle Factors with Serum Total Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I and IGF Binding Protein-3 Levels in Black and White Men: the CARDIA Male Hormone Study Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., December 1, 2004; 13(12): 2208 - 2216. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Blain, A. Vuillemin, A. Blain, F. Guillemin, N. D. Talance, B. Doucet, and C. Jeandel Age-Related Femoral Bone Loss in Men: Evidence for Hyperparathyroidism and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Deficiency J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., December 1, 2004; 59(12): 1285 - 1289. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Nemet, P. H. Connolly, A. M. Pontello-Pescatello, C. Rose-Gottron, J. K. Larson, P. Galassetti, and D. M. Cooper Negative energy balance plays a major role in the IGF-I response to exercise training J Appl Physiol, January 1, 2004; 96(1): 276 - 282. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Rosendal, H. Langberg, A. Flyvbjerg, J. Frystyk, H. Orskov, and M. Kjar Physical capacity influences the response of insulin-like growth factor and its binding proteins to training J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2002; 93(5): 1669 - 1675. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Manetta, J. F. Brun, L. Maimoun, A. Callis, C. Prefaut, and J. Mercier Effect of training on the GH/IGF-I axis during exercise in middle-aged men: relationship to glucose homeostasis Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, November 1, 2002; 283(5): E929 - E936. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Nemet, Y. Oh, H.-S. Kim, M. Hill, and D. M. Cooper Effect of Intense Exercise on Inflammatory Cytokines and Growth Mediators in Adolescent Boys Pediatrics, October 1, 2002; 110(4): 681 - 689. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Mero, J. Kahkonen, T. Nykanen, T. Parviainen, I. Jokinen, T. Takala, T. Nikula, S. Rasi, and J. Leppaluoto IGF-I, IgA, and IgG responses to bovine colostrum supplementation during training J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2002; 93(2): 732 - 739. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. D Hansen and B. J Allen Habitual physical activity, anabolic hormones, and potassium content of fat-free mass in postmenopausal women Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, February 1, 2002; 75(2): 314 - 320. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. R. Cappola, K. Bandeen-Roche, G. S. Wand, S. Volpato, and L. P. Fried Association of IGF-I Levels with Muscle Strength and Mobility in Older Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2001; 86(9): 4139 - 4146. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. C. Nindl, W. J. Kraemer, J. O. Marx, P. J. Arciero, K. Dohi, M. D. Kellogg, and G. A. Loomis Overnight responses of the circulating IGF-I system after acute, heavy-resistance exercise J Appl Physiol, April 1, 2001; 90(4): 1319 - 1326. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Yu and T. Rohan Role of the Insulin-Like Growth Factor Family in Cancer Development and Progression J Natl Cancer Inst, September 20, 2000; 92(18): 1472 - 1489. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Thorsen, P. Nordström, R. Lorentzon, and G. H. Dahlén The Relation between Bone Mineral Density, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I, Lipoprotein (a), Body Composition, and Muscle Strength in Adolescent Males J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 1999; 84(9): 3025 - 3029. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				L. P. Koziris, R. C. Hickson, R. T. Chatterton Jr., R. T. Groseth, J. M. Christie, D. G. Goldflies, and T. G. Unterman Serum levels of total and free IGF-I and IGFBP-3 are increased and maintained in long-term training J Appl Physiol, April 1, 1999; 86(4): 1436 - 1442. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Eliakim, J. A. Brasel, S. Mohan, W. L. T. Wong, and D. M. Cooper Increased physical activity and the growth hormone-IGF-I axis in adolescent males Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, July 1, 1998; 275(1): R308 - R314. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. M. Shalet, A. Toogood, A. Rahim, and B. M. D. Brennan The Diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Children and Adults Endocr. Rev., April 1, 1998; 19(2): 203 - 223. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				G. P. Ceda, E. Dall’Aglio, A. Magnacavallo, N. Vargas, V. Fontana, M. Maggio, G. Valenti, P. D. K. Lee, R. L. Hintz, and A. R. Hoffman The Insulin-Like Growth Factor Axis and Plasma Lipid Levels in the Elderly J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 1998; 83(2): 499 - 502. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				S. W. Lamberts, A. W. van den Beld, and A. van der Lely The Endocrinology of Aging Science, October 17, 1997; 278(5337): 419 - 424. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. Eliakim, M. Moromisato, D. Moromisato, J. A. Brasel, C. Roberts Jr., and D. M. Cooper Increase in muscle IGF-I protein but not IGF-I mRNA after 5 days of endurance training in young rats Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, October 1, 1997; 273(4): R1557 - R1561. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Hornum, D. M. Cooper, J. A. Brasel, A. Bueno, and K. E. Sietsema Exercise-induced changes in circulating growth factors with cyclic variation in plasma estradiol in women J Appl Physiol, June 1, 1997; 82(6): 1946 - 1951. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Juul, K. W. Kastrup, S. A. Pedersen, and N. E. Skakkebak Growth Hormone (GH) Provocative Retesting of 108 Young Adults with Childhood-Onset GH Deficiency and the Diagnostic Value of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-Binding Protein-3 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 1997; 82(4): 1195 - 1201. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]