Which acute hormonal change is associated with anaerobic overtraining?

Which acute hormonal change is associated with anaerobic overtraining?

• A. Decreased epinephrine and norepinephrine
• B. Increased epinephrine and norepinephrine
• C. Increased cortisol only
• D. Decreased testosterone

Answer: (B)

During intense anaerobic work, the body relies on the sympathetic-adrenal system to meet energy and performance demands, so catecholamines are released in higher amounts. In overtraining, this response can become exaggerated, leading to increased epinephrine and norepinephrine levels acutely. That makes the rise in these two catecholamines the best fit for the acute hormonal change associated with anaerobic overtraining. While cortisol and testosterone can be affected with prolonged stress, they don’t capture the primary immediate hormonal shift seen in this context as clearly as the surge in epinephrine and norepinephrine.

During intense anaerobic work, the body relies on the sympathetic-adrenal system to meet energy and performance demands, so catecholamines are released in higher amounts. In overtraining, this response can become exaggerated, leading to increased epinephrine and norepinephrine levels acutely. That makes the rise in these two catecholamines the best fit for the acute hormonal change associated with anaerobic overtraining. While cortisol and testosterone can be affected with prolonged stress, they don’t capture the primary immediate hormonal shift seen in this context as clearly as the surge in epinephrine and norepinephrine.