Comparison of Some Hormonal and Biochemical Factors Between Female Prepubertal Athletes (Gymnasts, Fighters and Swimmers) and Non-athletes

  Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to compare the levels of GH, IGF1, insulin, estradiol, serum lipids and CBC between prepubertal female athletes and non-athletes.   Materials & Methods: Experimental group included 15 prepubertal gymnasts (10.89±1.6 y, 141.73±12.26 cm, 34.93±6.84 kg), 7 prepubertal fighters (12.14±2.03 y, 146.71±5.79 cm, 38.29±5.06 kg), 11 prepubertal swimmers (10.45±1.03 y, 146.33±8 cm, 43.27±9.45 kg) and control group included 10 prepubertal non-athletes (11.8±0.92 y, 151.4±5.69 cm, 42.2±7.21 kg). Research variables included height, weight, fat percent and levels of GH, IGF1, insulin, estradiol, serum lipds and CBC.   Results: There was significant differences in mean weight and IGF1 of gymnasts and swimmers and mean cell hemoglobin concentration of non-athletes and swimmers in favour of swimmers (p < 0.05). Also measures of height, weight, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor and estradiol in gymnasts were lower than other groups and levels of weight, insulin and insulin-like growth factor in swimmers and levels of height, growth hormone and estradiol in non-athletes were higher than other groups. Conclusion: In gymnasts there is a growth hormone reduction secretion induced by high intensity trainings that leads to lower height and weight of gymnasts than swimmers and fighters. Thus exercise type affects anthropometric characteristics through influence on hormonal functions.