The Claim
In male athletes, blunted hormonal responses to insulin tolerance testing—specifically low ACTH (<35 pg/mL at 30 minutes post-hypoglycemia), low cortisol (<19.1 µg/dL), and low growth hormone (<1.0 µg/L at 30 minutes post-hypoglycemia)—are associated with overtraining syndrome, suggesting that hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysregulation is a key component of the pathophysiology of overtraining syndrome.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
When male athletes are overtrained, their body’s stress and growth hormone responses to low blood sugar don’t react as strongly—this could mean their brain’s hormone control center isn’t working right.
See the scientific wording
In male athletes, blunted hormonal responses to insulin tolerance testing—including low ACTH (<35 pg/mL 30 min post-hypoglycemia), low cortisol (<19.1 µg/dL), and low GH (<1.0 µg/L 30 min post-hypoglycemia)—are associated with overtraining syndrome, indicating hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysregulation as a key feature of OTS pathophysiology.
What the research says
1 studyThe study found that athletes with overtraining syndrome had unusually low hormone responses during a stress test, which helps diagnose the condition—supporting the idea that their hormone system isn't reacting normally.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.