The effect of a high-fat meal on the acute growth hormone response to exercise in healthy adolescents

This study investigated the effect of a high fat meal on the acute growth hormone (GH) response to exercise in healthy adolescents. A high fat meal prior to exercise has been reported to blunt the GH response in adults. This is a concern among adolescents because GH plays a key role in growth and development.; Nine adolescents completed this quasi-experimental study. During the preliminary visit the subjects completed a fitness test. In the first experimental visit a 30 minute exercise protocol was completed. A high fat shake was consumed 45 minutes prior to exercise at the second experimental visit.; The results showed that the ingestion of a high fat meal prior to exercise decreased the GH response to exercise in adolescents. The macronutrient content of a single pre-exercise meal in adolescents can significantly attenuate the exercise-induced GH release.