Reduction in exertional myoglobinemia after physical conditioning

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Abstract
The development of a sensitive radioimmunoassay for the measurement of myoglobin permits the accurate determination and detection of even small concentrations of serum myoglobin. To determine the effect of exercise and physical conditioning on serum myoglobin levels, 16 male Army recruits (ages 18-28 yr) underwent treadmill exercise and strenuous physical evaluation tests (PET) consisting of sit-ups, push-ups, horizontal ladder, obstacle course and 3.2 km run. The tests and exercise were performed before and after 12 wk of physical conditioning performed in conjunction with basic military training. Serum myoglobin levels did not rise after treadmill exercise, but were increased greatly 6 h after PET. After physical conditioning, serum myoglobin concentrations measured after the treadmill exercise remained normal and values after PET showed a significant decrease (P < .001) compared to those measured before physical conditioning (mean .+-. SD, 160 .+-. 81 ng/mL after initial PET vs. 76 .+-. 60 ng/mL after physical conditioning). Physical training apparently reduced the degree of myoglobinemia occurring after strenuous exercise, by modifying skeletal muscle alterations that allow myoglobin release in this setting.