Comparison of Two Methods of Tapering After Four Weeks of Glycogen Depletion on Cortisol and CRP in Healthy, Inactive Males

The aim of this study was to compare two methods to reduce exercise volume after four weeks of glycogen depletion training on cortisol stress levels and CRP in inactive healthy males.
The current research is semi-experimental with a pre-post-test design including a control group. The statistical population of this study consists of inactive, healthy male students from Qom University who have completed the physical education unit. Thirty healthy male students, who were not engaged in regular physical activity, were randomly selected and divided into three groups. The first group underwent a 50% reduction in training volume (n=11), the second group a 75% reduction in training volume (n=11), and the third group served as the control (n=8). Following four weeks of glycogen depletion training, a week of training adjustment was carried out. Blood samples were collected at three stages: at the beginning of the training protocol period, and 48 hours after the final training session, from the Antecubital vein. ELISA and immunoradiometric techniques were utilized to assess the serum concentrations of IGF-1 and creatine kinase, respectively. To analyze differences between and within groups, the analysis of variance test with repeated measurements was conducted at a significance level of α=0.05.
No significant difference was observed between the three groups in serum IGF-1 and creatine kinase levels after the training volume reduction period. However, a significant difference was observed in IGF-1 levels between the pre-test stage, post-test stage, and follow-up (P<0.05).
Reducing the volume of training for one week following four weeks of glycogen depletion training does not have an effect on serum IGF-I and creatine kinase levels in inactive men.