Effects of acute total body resistance exercise on hormonal and cytokines changes in men and women

Sex differences in exercise responses have implications for understanding sex-specific adaptations to exercise for performance and health. The purpose of this study was to verify the acute effects of a full body resistance exercise protocol on growth hormone (GH), testosterone (TT), cortisol, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in men and women. Fourteen healthy volunteers (7 men and 7 women taking oral contraceptives) active and recreationally trained in resistance exercise were subjected to a resistance exercise session (3x8-10 RM) composed of 10 exercises with rests periods of 90-120 seconds between sets. GH, TT, cortisol, IL-6 and IL-10 were assessed at pre-, immediate post- (IP) and 30 min postprotocol. Both men and women had a similar increase in GH (P