DYNAMIC TRAINING AND CIRCULATING LEVELS OF CORTICOTROPIN-RELEASING FACTOR, BETA-LIPOTROPIN AND BETA-ENDORPHIN IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

The study aimed at evaluating the effects of a dynamic training program on circulating levels of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), beta-lipotropin (β-LPH), and beta-endorphin (β-EP) in 8 patients (5 females and 3 males, aged 39-65 years) with classical/definite rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Blood samples were collected immediately before, in the middle of, and after a 6-week high-intensity training period as well as after a subsequent 1-year period of low-intensity training. In addition, baseline data were obtained 3 weeks before the start of the training program. Use of multivariate analyses of variance, and of analyses of variance of contrast variables, indicated a short-term effect of the high-intensity training program for β-EP with increased levels (P < 0.05) between the 3rd and the 6th weeks, no significant differences being obtained for CRF or β-LPH here. Corresponding analyses with regard to the combined high and low-intensity training program revealed CRF (P < 0.01), and β-LPH (P < 0.01) levels to increase over time, no long-term effect being found for β-EP. Despite the intensity of the dynamic training program, no change was found in pain experience as measured on a visual analogue scale. © 1990.