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. 2023 Nov 7;15(1):148.
doi: 10.1186/s13102-023-00761-w.

Influence of the 2000-m ergometer test on indirect markers of intestinal injury in competitive elite rowers in different training phases

Hanna Dziewiecka  1 , Anna Kasperska  2 , Joanna Ostapiuk-Karolczuk  2 , Justyna Cichoń-Woźniak  2 , Piotr Basta  3 , Anna Skarpańska-Stejnborn  2
Affiliations

Influence of the 2000-m ergometer test on indirect markers of intestinal injury in competitive elite rowers in different training phases

Hanna Dziewiecka et al. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. .

Abstract

Background: We examined the effect of the 2000-m ergometer test on gut injury in competitive elite rowers in two different training phases. Given that inflammatory markers during the competitive phase are higher, we hypothesise that markers of intestinal injury are also more elevated during that phase.

Methods: We performed this study during the preparatory phase (Test I) and competitive phase (Test II) of annual training. We included 10 competitive elite rowers, members of the Polish Rowing Team, in the study after applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The participants performed a 2000-m ergometer test during both phases (Tests I and II). We collected blood samples before the test, immediately after the test and after 1 h of recovery. We measured the levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), and zonulin.

Results: There were no significant changes over time in Test I and Test II in the gut integrity markers. There were significantly lower I-FABP and IL-6 levels after the test for Test II compared with Test I. The pre-test LPS level was significantly lower for Test II compared with Test I. The pre-test LBP and zonulin levels were numerically lower in Test II, but the differences were not significant.

Conclusions: The 2000-m ergometer test showed no influence on gut integrity markers. However, there were differences in the response to exercise between Tests I and II. The lower level of gut injury markers after extreme exercise tests carried out during the preparation period may be the result of adaptive mechanisms and could indicate that rationally conducted training significantly decreases intestinal injury.

Keywords: Athletes; Gut injury; I-FABP; Il-6; LBP; LPS; Preparation phase; Rowers; Zonulin.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The study design and timeline
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The lactic acid (LA) levels before and after the 2000-m ergometer test. The values are presented as mean ± standard deviation. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, and****p < 0.0001
Fig3
Fig3
Differences between Tests I and II in intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), zonulin, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) at the pre-exercise (Pre), post-exercise (Post), and 1-hour post-exercise (Recovery) time points. The data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ***p < 0.001
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Pearson correlation matrix
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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