Effects of military training on plasma amino acid concentrations and their associations with overreaching

Abstract

The diagnosis of overtraining syndrome and overreaching poses a great challenge. Military training aims at improving the physical performance of the conscripts, but an excessive training load could also lead to overreaching. This study of Finnish conscripts provides new insights into the pathophysiology of overreaching and overtraining through amino acids concentrations. In addition to confirming the possible use of plasma glutamine/glutamate concentration to indicate and predict overreaching, we made a novel finding, i.e. low alanine and arginine concentrations might have a role in performance decrement and fatigue related to overreaching. Moreover, this study is the first to show the possible association between amino acids with putative neuronal properties and overreaching. Thus, the present findings might help to detect and prevent overreaching and offer a reliable diagnostic approach. In order to avoid overreaching, military training should be planned more periodically and individually, especially during the first four weeks of military service.

Keywords: Overreaching; amino acids; glutamine–glutamate ratio; metabolism; military training; overtraining.

Figure 1.

Mean ± SD concentration at rest for significantly changed amino acids, i.e. glutamine–glutamate ratio (Gln/Glu) and levels of glutamate (Glu), arginine, alanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan in non-overreached (nOR) and overreached (OR) conscripts at weeks 1, 4, 7, and 9 of the military service. Significant difference between groups *P < 0.05. Significant change due to exercise #P < 0.05, ###P < 0.001. Group × training interaction +P < 0.05.