Published online Jan 26, 2020. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v12.i1.35
Peer-review started: June 4, 2019
First decision: August 2, 2019
Revised: September 20, 2019
Accepted: October 14, 2019
Article in press: October 15, 2019
Published online: January 26, 2020
Processing time: 208 Days and 19.3 Hours
Release of biomarkers of myocardial damage such as cardiac troponins (cTns) is common after strenuous endurance exercise.
Although it is widely recognized that continuous exercise can induce release of cTns into the bloodstream, data on intermittent exercise are scarce. Furthermore, the principle of training specificity has never been investigated.
This study examined how training specificity impacts high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) release.
In this observational study, nine professional floorball players performed two different exercise tests: A continuous incremental cycle ergometer test and a Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery 2 (Yo-Yo IR2) test. Serial assessment of hs-cTnT was performed after the cycle ergometer test and the Yo-Yo IR2 test (baseline, 0, 2, 6, and 24 h).
No hs-cTnT elevation above the myocardial damage cutoff (≥ 14 ng/L) was shown after the cycle ergometer test, whereas hs-cTnT levels rose over the cutoff in three of nine participants after the Yo-Yo IR2 test. The hs-cTnT levels peaked at 6 h after both tests, but were significantly higher after the Yo-Yo IR2 test compared to the cycle ergometer test (median hs-cTnT concentration 10.6 ng/L vs 7.8 ng/L, P = 0.038). All levels returned to baseline within 24 h.
High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T was significantly elevated after intermittent but not continuous exercise.
The principle of training specificity should be considered when designing future studies and sampling should continue at least 24 h post-exercise to avoid misinterpretation of hs-cTnT elevation.