Introduction: Insulin-like growth factor type I (IGF-I) has gained considerable notoriety in military training, primarily because it is responsible for energy deficits and sensitive to an inadequate protein intake, which are situations that are commonly experienced in specific military operations. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the kinetics of IGF-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein type 3 (IGFBP-3) in a 4-day military field training exercise.
Materials and methods: The sample comprised 12 male soldiers (21.71 ± 1.64 years). Changes were assessed at 3 times: time 1-basal (control week); time 2-after specific military field training; and time 3-1 week after the specific training (control week). Changes in body composition and serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were observed.
Results: The main finding of this study was it verified the biphasic kinetics of both IGF-I and IGFBP-3 at the 3 times observed, that is, a significant drop from time 1 (basal-IGF-I: 189 ng/mL and IGFBP-3: 4.71 mg/L) to time 2 (immediately after military training-IGF-I: 162 ng/mL and IGFBP-3: 4.08 mg/L) and a subsequent recovery of these markers, with a significant increase from time 2 (immediately after military training) to time 3 (a week after military training-IGF-I: 199 ng/mL and IGFBP-3: 4.96 mg/L).
Conclusions: It can be concluded that IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels respond quickly to the stimuli caused by military training, especially after specific field training. However, the same markers quickly return to their basal values after this type of training finishes, simply by following the daily routine of the battalion in the control weeks, with no specific intervention being necessary.
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