The Effect of a Single Training Session on Changes in Inflammatory, Hormonal, and Metabolic Markers in Athletes

August 11, 2026 updated by: Anna Kasperska, Poznan University of Physical Education
The study aims to assess the acute response of wrestlers to a single training session. Short-term changes in inflammatory, hormonal, and metabolic markers are analyzed to assess fatigue development and recovery following intense exercise. Participation in the study involves completing a standard training session and providing blood samples at three time points to assess the physiological response. The results provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying adaptation to exercise in competitive wrestlers.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The study aims to assess how wrestlers' bodies respond to a single, intense training session. The study focuses on short-term changes in markers of inflammation, the hormonal system (stress hormones, catecholamines), and the metabolic system. This enables a deeper understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying fatigue development and post-exercise recovery.

Each participant will attend one standard training session, as outlined in the training plan. As part of the study, three venous blood samples will be collected:

  • Before training - at rest, to determine baseline values;
  • Immediately after training;
  • 24 hours after exercise - to evaluate recovery processes.

Blood samples will be analyzed in the lab to determine:

  • inflammatory markers (hsCRP, IL-6, TNF-α),
  • muscle damage marker (CK),
  • stress hormones (adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol),
  • metabolic indicators (urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, uric acid). The project does not require any additional supplementation, dietary changes, or modifications to the training plan.

Participating in the study will provide insights into each participant's individual response to intense exercise, including fatigue, inflammation, and hormonal balance. The results can help tailor training load more effectively and improve recovery.

Participation in the study is completely voluntary. Participants may withdraw from participation at any time, without giving a reason, without any consequences. Withdrawal from the study will not affect their subsequent athletic training. All data obtained during the study will be treated confidentially and processed solely for scientific purposes. Results will be compiled in aggregate form, preventing the identification of individual participants.

The study protocol was approved by the Bioethics Committee.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

5

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland, 66-400
        • Poznan University of Physical Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences in Gorzow Wielkopolski, Poland; Department of Biological Sciences.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study participants are athletes from a national-level sports club who were also members of the national team. All athletes have experience competing in international events. The group includes athletes who have won medals at both national and international competitions. Participants are wrestling athletes specializing in strength-endurance training and represent the top competitive level in their sport. The study aims to evaluate acute physiological responses to a single high-intensity training session in this highly specialized discipline.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Currently engaged in regular strength-endurance wrestling training.
  • Medically cleared for high-intensity exercise by a sports physician.
  • Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent.
  • Availability to attend the training session and all blood sampling time points (pre-training, immediately post-training, 24 hours post-training).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of acute or chronic illness that may affect exercise performance or physiological response.
  • Recent musculoskeletal injury limiting participation in high-intensity training.
  • Use of medications or supplements that may interfere with hormonal, inflammatory, or metabolic markers.
  • History of endocrine disorders, adrenal insufficiency, or other conditions affecting catecholamine or cortisol levels.
  • Inability or unwillingness to comply with study procedures.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Concentration of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)
Time Frame: 1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentration will be measured to assess the inflammatory response.
1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Concentration of creatine kinase (CK)
Time Frame: 1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Creatine kinase (CK) concentration will be measured as a biomarker of muscle damage and the physiological response to the training session.
1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).
Time Frame: 1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentration will be assessed as a marker of the inflammatory response to training.
1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6).
Time Frame: 1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration will be assessed as a marker of the inflammatory response to training.
1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Concentration of adrenaline
Time Frame: 1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Adrenaline concentration will be assessed as a marker of the acute sympathoadrenal response to training.
1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Concentration of noradrenaline
Time Frame: 1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Noradrenaline concentration will be assessed as a marker of the acute sympathoadrenal response to training.
1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Concentration of cortisol
Time Frame: 1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Cortisol concentration will be assessed as a marker of the acute neuroendocrine response to training.
1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Concentration of total protein.
Time Frame: 1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Total protein concentration will be assessed as a marker of changes in plasma protein status and hydration in response to training.
1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Concentration of urea.
Time Frame: 1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Urea concentration will be assessed as a marker of metabolic response and protein catabolism following training.
1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Concentration of albumin.
Time Frame: 1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Albumin concentration will be assessed as a marker of changes in plasma protein status in response to training.
1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Concentration of uric acid.
Time Frame: 1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.
Uric acid concentration will be assessed as a marker of purine metabolism and metabolic response to training.
1. Before training (at rest), 2. Immediately after training, 3. 24 hours after exercise.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Anna Kasperska, PhD, Poznan University of Physical Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences in Gorzow Wielkopolski, Poland;

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 1, 2014

Primary Completion (Actual)

May 1, 2014

Study Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 23, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 23, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

December 4, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 13, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 11, 2026

Last Verified

August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • AKS wrestlers

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

IPD will not be shared to protect participant confidentiality and to meet ethical and legal standards regarding sensitive health and performance data.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.