Summary:
This study is a controlled experiment designed to assess the effects of regular basketball training on hormone levels and blood parameters in adolescent athletes. Exercise is known to improve both physical health and mood, partly through changes in endocrine function. Melatonin, a hormone primarily involved in regulating sleep-wake cycles, and serotonin, a neurotransmitter important for mood, cognition, and regulation of physiological processes, are thought to mediate some of these benefits. Thirty-four healthy boys aged 13-16 years were randomly assigned to either an exercise group or a control group. The exercise program consisted of two hours of basketball training per day, five days per week, for eight weeks. Blood samples were collected the day before the program began and the day after it ended. Hormone levels were measured, as well as standard pathology testing including red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin and others. Following the training program, participants in the exercise group showed significant increases in melatonin and serotonin levels compared with the control group. White blood cell, red blood cell, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels increased, showing that eight weeks of consistent aerobic basketball training enhanced hormonal profiles linked to mood and circadian regulation and positively influenced certain blood parameters associated with oxygen transport and immune function. Overall, this study indicates that regular, structured basketball training can have measurable benefits on endocrine and hematological markers in adolescent athletes. Serotonin elevation may contribute to improved mood and cognitive function, while increased melatonin could enhance sleep regulation and recovery. Changes in red and white blood cell levels suggest enhanced oxygen delivery and immune capacity. Further research across different sports, genders, and age groups is needed to better understand the broader implications for exercise physiology and adolescent health.
Abstract:
Objectives: Exercise can improve both health and mood. Some beneficial effects of exercise are attributed to endocrine status. This study aims to evaluate the effect of eight weeks of basketball training on melatonin, serotonin, and hematologic parameters in basketball players. Methods: The experimental group was selected form 34 healthy young boys, aged between 13 and 16 years old. The participants were randomly assigned to the control group (n=17) and the exercise group (n=17). The exercise program consisted of 2 h/day aerobic activity of basketball training in 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Venous blood was taken on the day before experiment (pre-exercise) and on the day following the last exercise (post-exercise) and hormone levels were detected by ELISA. Results: Serotonin and melatonin levels significantly increased in the post-exercise group compared to the other groups (p<0.05). Exercise caused increase in WBC, RBC, HCT and Hb levels (p<0.05) while did not alter PLT, MCH, and PCT levels (p>0.05). This study indicates that an eight weeks-long regular aerobic exercise increased melatonin and serotonin levels, and also altered some hematological parameters. Conclusions: In conclusion, it is believed that improvement in levels of serotonin, melatonin, and hematological parameters after eight weeks of regular basketball training in basketball players could be attributed to beneficial effects of exercise. Investigation in other branches of sports and in different gender and age groups would make contribution into exercise physiology and training science.
Article Publication Date: 7/1/2021
DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2020-0095
