The
Sprint 8 exercise protocol
is a novel approach
to fighting obesity
efficiently among middle-aged
females by substantially
increasing GH serum
levels naturally
David
Braden, MD1,2; Jeff Ross,
MD1; Leigh C Gray, MD
1; Cheri Walker, RN, MSN1;
Alvin Hoover, MS, MEd1;
and S Duane Burt, MS1,3
1 King's Daughters Medical
Center, Brookhaven, MS,
USA
2 University of Mississippi
Medical Center, Jackson,
MS, USA
3 Copiah-Lincoln Community
College, Wesson, MS, USA
Corresponding
Author: S Duane Burt,
Science Department,
Copiah-Lincoln Community
College, 1028 JC Redd
Dr., Wesson, MS, 39191,
USA. Email: duane.burt@colin.edu
Phone: (601) 643-8369 June 2, 2012
Funding:
This research received
no specific grant from
any funding agency in
the public, commercial,
or not-for-profit sectors.
This study was conducted
at and funded by King's
Daughters Medical Center
(KDMC), Brookhaven,
MS, USA.
ABSTRACT
Background:
The Sprint 8 exercise
protocol described in
Ready, Set, Go! Synergy
Fitness for Time-Crunched
Adults [7] has shown
to fight obesity economically
and time-efficiently
by naturally invoking
significant growth hormone
(GH) release. GH serum
levels are known to
increase substantially
after exercise, where
it initiates lipolysis,
inhibits the uptake
and storage of other
lipids, and induces
muscle hypertrophy.
Objectives: The goal
of this novel approach
to fighting obesity
was to efficiently maximize
natural GH release among
middle-aged African-American
and Caucasian females
[mean age = 45.9 (±7.7
yrs)] to metabolize
adipose tissue and reduce
hyperlipidemia by utilizing
the Sprint 8 protocol.
By documenting pre-
and post-trial GH and
lipid serum values,
body fat %, and BMI,
the correlated health
benefits produced by
each subgroup were established
for future studies.
Method: This 8-week,
free-living, Sprint
8 trial required 8 hours
of exercise (20 min,
3 days/week), without
dieting. The protocol
intermittently incorporates
intermediate fast-twitch
(type IIA) and fast-twitch
(type IIB) muscle fibers
with their associated
aerobic and anaerobic
metabolic processes,
substantially increasing
body temperature and
lactic acid production,
which lowers blood pH,
affording significant
GH release.
Results: Among 22 participants,
GH serum values increased
603% following the initial
bout and 426% final
bout. Post-Sprint 8
trial afforded reductions
in body fat (-27.4%),
BMI (-3.9%), cholesterol
(-9.6%), LDLs (-12.4%),
triglycerides (-16.1%),
and HDLs increased 2.0%.
Conclusions: The Sprint
8 shows to be a natural,
economical, and efficacious
obesity-reduction strategy
among middle-aged females.
These individuals benefit
socially and physically,
while healthcare systems
benefit financially.
INTRODUCTION AND
BACKGROUND
Obesity
It is well documented
that obesity is a major
problem in the U.S.
and other countries.
It is associated with
many diseases, disabilities,
discriminations, and
financial hardships.[1]
Obesity is correlated
with hyperlipidemia
or elevated blood cholesterol,
LDL, and triglycerides,
accompanied with low
HDL serum levels.[2]
Hyperlipidemia leads
to many cardiovascular
diseases (CVDs), particularly
atherosclerosis, which
is the leading cause
of death for men and
women not only in the
U.S., but in the world.[3,4]
Additionally, the healthcare
industry is burdened
with the billions of
dollars spent on the
many ensuing chronic
diseases derived from
the over-shadowing obesity
epidemic. Some of the
diseases and problems
evolving from obesity
include: hyperlipidemia,
diabetes, hypertension,
coronary heart disease,
osteoarthritis, gall
bladder disease, impaired
fertility, complications
during pregnancy, breathlessness,
sleep apnea, gout, low-back
pain, and cancer. Indeed,
the highest utilization
costs in the healthcare
industry belong to CVDs.
[5,6] In order to reduce
patient suffering, as
well as alleviating
the financial burden
carried by the healthcare
industry, the need for
an efficacious intervention
is crucial.
Indeed, these health
complications and financial
burdens derived from
obesity plague the U.S.,
where Mississippi is
consistently ranked
as the most obese state.
King's Daughters Medical
Center (KDMC) in Brookhaven,
MS has an interest in
fighting obesity in
our state and beyond
by employing the Sprint
8 exercise protocol,
as described in the
book, Ready, Set, Go!
Synergy Fitness for
Time-Crunched Adults
[7]. The Sprint 8 protocol
shows here to be time-saving,
financially efficient,
and extremely effective
at naturally inducing
the release of growth
hormone (GH) in significant
amounts, which is known
to be a major factor
in triggering lipolysis.
Exercise
and Growth Hormone
While obesity is the
root of innumerable
complications, exercise
defends the body against
just as many impediments.
Furthermore, exercise
as a drug of choice
for personal health
and wellness is monetarily
free. It is also well
documented that any
exercise regimen is
a major component to
having a healthy lifestyle,
and that growth hormone
(GH) release and exercise
are correlated. The
National Institutes
of Health reports that
exercise-induced GH,
when released, can increase
up to 500% and stay
significantly elevated
beyond two hours.[8]
During this time, GH
is known to have multiple
functions and produce
numerous benefits, including
playing a role in muscle
hypertrophy and targeting
the metabolism of triglycerides,
the foundation of not
only obesity and hyperlipidemia,
but the other ensuing
diseases previously
noted.[9,10] It is generally
accepted that anaerobic
exercise shows to increase
GH levels far more than
aerobic activities alone;
[10,11] however, research
is scarce when studying
intermediate fast-twitch
(type IIA) and fast-twitch
(type IIB) muscle fibers
with their associated
anaerobic metabolic
processes and the resulting
effect of GH release
during exercise. What
is understood is that
when undertaking anaerobic
activity, such as sprinting,
lactic acid builds in
the muscular system
and ultimately the blood,
where blood pH is lowered.
Body temperature is
also dramatically elevated
during anaerobic exercise.
Increased body temperature
and the declining pH
of blood induces GH
release from the anterior
pituitary gland, possibly
for the purpose of repairing
muscles by way of elevating
amino acid uptake within
muscle cells, increasing
muscle cell protein
synthesis, [12] and
also increasing sweat
release to cool the
body.[13] In turn, increased
GH values trigger insulin-like
growth factor 1 (IGF-1)
release from the liver,
as well as from other
tissues, including muscle
tissue. IGF-1 is known
to be a potent anabolic
hormone. GH and IGF-1
synergistically increase
muscle cell protein
synthesis leading to
muscle hypertrophy.
[14,15] At the same
time, GH initiates lipolysis
within adipose tissue
for energy. Adipose
cell membranes contain
GH-binding protein receptors.
When binding to adipose
receptors, GH stimulates
the metabolism of triglycerides
while inhibiting the
uptake and accumulation
of other circulating
lipids.[16] Therefore,
when utilizing types
IIA and IIB muscle fibers
intermittently during
exercise (sprints),
exceptionally high GH
serum levels are produced,
which direct the building
of muscle mass that
ultimately feeds on
adipose for maintenance
and increases the metabolic
rate of fatty tissue.
It is apparent that
obesity is attacked
far more efficiently
than with the utilization
of type I muscle fiber
alone and that elevated
exercise-induced GH
serum levels show to
have promising effects
for the growing problem
of obesity and associated
hyperlipidemia.
However, most popular
anti-obesity programs
today only utilize slow-twitch
(type I) muscle fibers,
which include mostly
aerobic physiological
processes, such as walking,
jogging, or the like.
These programs do not
take advantage of the
surplus of GH that could
be produced by incorporating
type IIA and IIB muscle
fibers, such as intermittent
sprints, or other intensive
bursts of activity.
Furthermore, these popular
programs focus on a
calories-in, calories-out
diet, accompanied with
other lifestyle changes,
and the recommended
time necessary (30 minutes
per exercise, 5 days
a week) on the exercise
component is daunting,
while results are slow
to develop. These low
intensity and lengthy
aerobic exercises, coupled
with a strict diet,
tend to reduce participant
adherence to a program,
and therefore often
fail. [7, 17]
The
Sprint 8 Protocol
The underlying thesis
behind the Sprint 8
protocol is to optimally
and efficiently maximize
exercise-induced GH
release by exercising
under intermittent anaerobic
conditions to intentionally
and substantially elevate
body temperature and
induce lactic acid accumulation
to subsequently reduce
body fat. [7] As previously
described, both of these
processes are known
to naturally induce
the anterior pituitary
gland to release significant
quantities of GH into
blood serum where it
initiates lipolysis.
Along with the common
utilization of type
I muscle fibers, the
Sprint 8 intermittently
incorporates types IIA
and IIB muscle fibers,
engaging anaerobic metabolism
to continue muscle function.
This produces large
amounts of lactic acid
and increases body temperature
substantially, which
stimulates GH release
from the anterior pituitary
gland into blood serum,
where it then initiates
adipose lipolysis and
promotes muscle cell
anabolism. [12,13] The
abundant release of
GH produced by the Sprint
8 regimen promotes major
fitness-improving benefits,
as well as time-saving
benefits in regard to
exercise, that are realistic
and achievable by most
healthy adolescents
and adults. The Sprint
8 requires 20 minutes
per bout, 3 times per
week, totaling 8 hours
of exercise per 8 weeks.
Additionally, there
is no diet required,
and the muscular system
benefits. The Sprint
8 exercise protocol
was developed by a healthcare
professional who is
a certified trainer
with the American College
of Sports Medicine with
37 years of experience.
It was created in the
1990s and is published
in the 384-page book
entitled Ready, Set,
Go! Synergy Fitness
for Time-Crunched Adults,
by Campbell, (2001,
2010).[7] The protocol
is consistent with the
latest cardiovascular
guidelines (2007) established
by the American Heart
Association and the
American College of
Sports Medicine for
vigorous intensity cardiovascular
exercise. [7] In this
novel approach to finding
relief for the obesity
crisis, preliminary
studies of the Sprint
8 protocol indicate
that GH is released
naturally and abundantly
during the program and
produces a wealth of
promising data in dealing
with not only reducing
body fat and increasing
muscle mass, but with
the obesity and hyperlipidemia
epidemic.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Subjects
(Pre-Sprint 8 trial)
Twenty-two (22) females,
aged 30-57 [mean age
(±SD)] = 45.9
(±7.7 yrs.),
mean mass 97.3 kg (214
±48.2 lbs.),
mean body fat % = 40.2
(±7.2%), mean
BMI = 36.0 (±7.6
kg/m2), mean GH baseline
level = 0.94 (±1.2
ng/mL), mean blood cholesterol
level = 207.6 (±39.8
mg/dL), mean blood LDL
level 136.8 (±35.5
mg/dL), mean blood triglyceride
level = 93.0 (±54.4
mg/dL), mean blood HDL
level = 51.5 (±9.6
mg/dL), participated
in this eight-week,
free-living, Sprint
8 trial.
The 22 participants
were composed of eleven
(11) African-American
females, mean age =
46.2 (±6.9 yrs),
mean mass 106 kg (233
±49.0 lbs.),
mean body fat % = 43.1
(±6.2%), mean
BMI = 39.5 (±6.9
kg/m2), mean GH baseline
value = 0.72 (±1.1
ng/mL), mean blood cholesterol
level = 196.8 (±31.6
mg/dL), mean blood LDL
level 130.0 (±27.2
mg/dL), mean blood triglyceride
level = 77.8 (±37.1
mg/dL), mean blood HDL
level = 51.0 (±10.1
mg/dL); and eleven (11)
Caucasian females, mean
age = 45.6 (±8.7
yrs), mean mass 87.9
kg (194 ±40.0
lbs.), mean body fat
% = 37.0 (±7.1%),
mean BMI = 32.6 (±6.9
kg/m2), mean GH baseline
value = 1.16 (±1.1
ng/mL), mean blood cholesterol
level = 218.3 (±45.6
mg/dL), mean blood LDL
level 143.6 (±42.5
mg/dL), mean blood triglyceride
level = 113.4 (±61.7
mg/dL), mean blood HDL
level = 52.0 (±9.5
mg/dL).
Before the initial blood
work and first Sprint
8 bout, a KDMC, Sprint
8-certified trainer
held a 45 minute preparatory
session with all participants
to explain the physiological
concepts and protocol
of the Sprint 8 program,
as outlined in Campbell's
book entitled Ready,
Set, Go! Synergy Fitness
for Time-Crunched Adults
[7]. This project was
free-living, where participants
received no KDMC oversight
during the 8 week program,
as to represent a realistic
setting, and their project
adherence was strictly
voluntary. Participants
were asked to continue
their usual, daily routines,
with no dietary or prescribed
medication changes.
During this eight week
trial, the only variable
on health measures was
the impact of the Sprint
8 protocol.
Sprint
8 Trial
The Sprint 8 trial (2012)
was conducted over an
eight-week period, three
Sprint 8 bouts per week,
20 minutes per bout,
totaling 8 hours of
exercise during the
8-week trial period,
and with no specific
diet. Participants were
free to choose among
stationary-upright or
recumbent bikes, treadmills,
and/or elliptical trainers
as their exercise equipment
at any given session.
Individual Sprint 8
bouts were held at KDMC's
Fitness Center, Brookhaven,
MS. In any given bout,
participants began with
a 2.5 minute warm-up
period, also known as
the "active recovery
pace" (ARP), followed
by 30 seconds of full-sprint
cardiovascular activity
to increase body temperature
and induce anaerobic
metabolism with associated
lactic acid build-up
and elevated body temperature.
Because fitness levels
are different among
participants, when gauging
a "sprint"
vs. an ARP, the sprint
component should maintain
a minimum of 40 RPMs
higher than the ARP
for the duration of
the 30 second sprint.
After the initial 30
second sprint component,
subjects returned to
their ARP for 1.5 minutes.
After the 1.5 minute
ARP, subjects repeated
the sprint component
for 30 seconds. This
process continued until
eight sprints were performed,
with a final 3 minute
cool-down period, totaling
20 minutes per bout.
Blood Sampling and
Analysis
A panel of lab tests
indicative of health
and wellness were conducted
pre- and post-Sprint
8 trial for baseline
measurements. Cholesterol,
triglyceride, LDL, HDL,
and GH serum levels
were obtained from each
participant to determine
the impact of the program
on basic health and
wellness. Blood lipids
(cholesterol, triglycerides,
LDL, and HDL) were analyzed
by a Siemens Dade Dimension®
ExL™ integrated
chemistry system at
King's Daughters Medical
Center, Brookhaven,
MS. GH level assays
were performed by Laboratory
Corporation of America®
Reference Laboratory
(LabCorp) in Birmingham,
AL, which analyzes GH
by the immunochemiluminometric
(ICMA) assay method.
Initial 10 hour fasting
blood tests were conducted
pre-Sprint 8 trial to
establish a baseline
measurement. A total
of 16.0 mL of whole
blood was drawn from
each subject, with 4.0
mL of plasma used for
the basic metabolic
and lipid panel measures,
5.0 mL of ethylenediaminetetraacetic
acid (EDTA) plasma used
to test glycated hemoglobin
(A1C) levels, and 2.5
mL of serum sent to
LabCorp for GH measure.
Additionally, 7.0 mL
of blood was drawn within
30 minutes of the initial
bout of the Sprint 8
program with 2.5 mL
of serum sent to LabCorp
for another GH post-exercise
measure. Final blood
labs identical to those
measured in week one
were performed at the
end of week eight, both
fasting for a post-trial
baseline, and within
30 minutes of the final
bout of the program
for a final GH measure.
Weight,
Body Fat %, and BMI
Weight, body fat percentage,
and BMI data were obtained
pre- and post-Sprint
8. Weight measurements
were obtained utilizing
a Rice Lake® medical
scale. Body fat percentage
results were obtained
by employing a Futrex-5000Ai®
body fat analyzer which
uses IR light refraction.
The measurements were
taken on the dominate
bicep of test subjects.
BMI measurements were
acquired using the Body
Mass Index Calculator
of the U.S. Department
of Health and Human
Services National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute.
These measurements were
obtained from participants
pre- and post-Sprint
8 trial.
RESULTS
GH
Values
The collective mean
GH serum value of the
22 participants was
6.6 (±10.8 ng/mL)
and was obtained within
30 minutes of finishing
the initial bout, day
1. Here, GH levels increased
603% from the collective
pre-trial baseline value
(0.94 ng/mL). Additionally,
the collective mean
baseline GH serum level
obtained pre-exercise,
post-Sprint 8 trial
was 0.76 (±0.86
ng/mL). When compared
to 4.0 (±4.8
ng/mL), the collective
mean GH serum level
taken within 30 minutes
of the post-final bout,
post-Sprint 8 trial,
the data affords a 426%
increase of GH serum
levels.
When observing the African-American
group, the initial-bout
GH serum value increased
263% from the pre-trial
baseline value (0.72
±1.0 ng/mL),
where the African-American
collective mean was
2.61 (±2.9 ng/mL),
post-initial bout. The
collective African-American
post-trial, post-final
exercise GH level was
1.3 (±0.7 ng/mL)
and elevated 141% when
compared to the collective
mean baseline obtained
pre-exercise, post-trial
(0.54 ±0.51 ng/mL).
The Caucasian group
increased GH serum values
814% during the initial
bout, where the collective
Caucasian mean GH serum
level was 10.6 (±14.3
ng/mL) post-initial
bout, increasing from
the pre-trial baseline
value of 1.16 (±1.3
ng/mL). The post-trial
baseline GH value was
0.97 (±1.0 ng/mL)
and increased 580%,
where the post-trial,
final-bout GH value
was 6.6 (±5.8
ng/mL). Collective,
African-American subgroup,
and Caucasian subgroup
comparisons of GH serum
values pre-Sprint 8
baselines to post-initial
Sprint 8 bouts are represented
in Graph 1. Subgroup
and individual GH data
are presented in Table
1 and Table 2.
Body
Mass (Post-Sprint 8
trial)
The 22 participants
collectively lost 67.3
kg (148 lbs.) of adipose
tissue. On average,
each subject lost 3.0
kg (6.8 lbs.) of fatty
tissue. Post-trial mean
body mass = 93.6 kg
(206 ±48.2 lbs.).
Post-trial mean body
fat % = 29.2 (±5.3%),
where mean body fat
% reduction = 27.4%.
Post-trial mean BMI
= 34.6 (±7.7
kg/m2), and post-trial
mean BMI reduction percentage
= 3.9%.
The African-American
group collectively metabolized
24.5 kg (54 lbs.) of
adipose tissue. On average,
each subject lost 2.23
kg (4.9 lbs.) of fatty
tissue. The post-trial
mean mass = 103.5 kg
(228.4 ±48.1
lbs.). Post-trial mean
body fat % = 31.5 (±4.2%),
mean body fat % reduction
= 27.0%, post-trial
BMI = 38.1 (±7.3
kg/m2), post-trial mean
BMI percentage reduction
= 3.5%.
The Caucasian group
collectively metabolized
42.7 kg (94 lbs.) of
adipose tissue. On average,
each subject lost 3.88
kg (8.5 lbs.) of fatty
tissue. The post-trial
mean mass = 84.0 kg
(184.9 ±39.0
lbs.). Post-trial mean
body fat % = 26.7 (±5.5%),
mean body fat % reduction
= 28.0%, post-trial
BMI = 31.1 (±6.7
kg/m2), post-trial mean
BMI percentage reduction
= 4.6%. Individual and
subgroup body mass data
are represented in Table
3, Table 4, Table 5,
and Table 6. Body fat
percentage reductions
are depicted in Graph
2.
Lipid
Levels (Post-Sprint
8 trial)
Collective
mean cholesterol serum
level = 187.8 (±30.9
mg/dL), mean blood cholesterol
% loss = 9.6%, mean
blood LDL level = 120.5
(±28.6 mg/dL),
mean blood LDL % loss
= 12.4%, mean blood
triglyceride level =
93.0 (±54.4 mg/dL),
mean blood triglyceride
% loss = 16.1%, mean
blood HDL level = 52.0
(±9.9 mg/dL),
mean HDL % increase
= 2.0%.
The African-American
subgroup cholesterol
serum value = 180.3
(±24.3 mg/dL),
mean blood cholesterol
% loss = 8.4%, mean
blood LDL level = 115.9
(±20.7 mg/dL),
mean blood LDL % loss
= 10.9%, mean blood
triglyceride level =
74.5 (±38.1 mg/dL),
mean blood triglyceride
% loss = 4.3%, mean
blood HDL level = 49.5
(±8.9 mg/dL),
mean HDL % decrease
= 2.9%.
The Caucasian subgroup
cholesterol serum value
= 195.4 (±35.9
mg/dL), mean blood cholesterol
% loss = 10.5%, mean
blood LDL level = 125.1
(±35.2 mg/dL),
mean blood LDL % loss
= 13.2%, mean blood
triglyceride level =
82.3 (±26.4 mg/dL),
mean blood triglyceride
% loss = 27.4%, mean
blood HDL level = 54.6
(±10.7 mg/dL),
mean HDL % increase
= 5.8%. Table 7 and
Table 8 identify lipid
value data. Graph 3
exhibits the changes
of these lipid serum
values in mg/dL among
the African-American
and Caucasian female
subgroups, pre- and
post-Sprint 8 trial.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
In
this realistic-representative,
free-living study with
no specific diet, where
Sprint 8 adherence was
entirely voluntary,
the 22 participants
produced a collective
body fat reduction of
27.4%, a BMI decrease
of 3.9%, and metabolized
67.3 kg (148 lbs.) of
adipose tissue, all
within 8 hours of exercise
during the 8-week trial.
Among the African-American
and Caucasian subgroups,
body fat % reductions
were remarkably similar,
within 1.0% difference.
The African-American
subgroup pre-trial BMI
value was substantially
higher than the Caucasian
subgroup pre-trial BMI
value and appears not
to have diminished as
significantly as the
Caucasian subgroup post-trial.
However, that knowledge
itself indicates that
the declining African-American
subgroup post-trial
BMI value is as equally
impressive as the Caucasian
subgroup post-trial
BMI value. BMI and body
fat percentage of all
African-American participants
were found to be at
unhealthy ranges pre-Sprint
8 trial. Furthermore,
this is where their
greatest results were
produced, with a 27%
reduction in body fat
and BMI decreasing 3.5
%.
The collective GH value
increased 603% after
the initial bout, and
426% after the final
bout of the trial. The
Caucasian subgroup increased
GH serum values substantially
more so than the African-American
subgroup. A possible
explanation for this
lies within the equipment
utilized. In this study,
participants were free
to choose among stationary
upright bicycles, stationary
recumbent bicycles,
treadmills, or elliptical
trainers. The African-American
subgroup tended to employ
the upright and recumbent
bicycles, where the
Caucasian subgroup exploited
the elliptical trainers
and treadmills. Compared
with the elliptical
trainer and treadmill,
the recumbent and upright
bicycles show to be
the least intensive
of the Sprint 8 equipment
options for this study,
where no substantial
upper-body activity
assists during any given
bout with the utilization
of the bicycles. This
could explain the reduced
GH serum values presented
with the African-American
subgroup because body
temperature and lactic
acid production would
be somewhat diminished
without major upper
body involvement. This
possibly leads to an
entirely separate study
involving the psychology
associated with how
individuals wish to
exercise, and perhaps
their adherence to any
given exercise program.
For both subgroups,
the changes in serum
lipid values were surprisingly
unexpected, where the
Sprint 8 protocol appears
to mimic cholesterol-lowering
medications. This demands
further investigation.
As previously discussed,
this free-living study
required participants
to adhere to their daily
lives as usual, including
no changes in diet or
prescribed medications.
A number of the Sprint
8 test subjects described
after the brief 8 week
trial that they no longer
required various medications
that they were previously
prescribed, most of
which were high blood
pressure or cholesterol-reducing
medications. While not
all participants were
at risk for CVDs, cholesterol
lowered 9.6%, LDL dropped
12.4%, triglycerides
decreased 16.1%, while
HDLs increased 2.0%,
all within 8 weeks.
Although body fat percentage
and BMI values of the
African-American subgroup
were initially unsuitable,
serum lipid values were
in healthy ranges pre-trial.
However, with the utilization
of the least-intensive
Sprint 8 equipment,
this subgroup decreased
its serum lipid value
further into the healthy
range, indicating the
efficacy of the Sprint
8 protocol.
It is well known that
GH has been touted as
a miracle drug and an
anti-aging medication.
It has been banned from
organized competitive
athletics due to the
anabolic effects and
resulting unfair advantages
it produces. Because
of the many other positive
physiological effects
GH is known to produce,
billions of dollars
are spent annually on
artificial and supplemental
GH therapy, both legally
and illegally. However,
side effects are associated
with artificial GH injections,
and they include: hyperlipidemia,
arthritis, cardiomegaly,
impotence, weakened
glucose regulation and
possibly type 1 diabetes.
Research indicates that
exercise-induced GH
release is natural,
more potent, and much
safer than artificial
injections.[10,16,18]
However, past research
has acknowledged the
beneficial results exercise-induced
GH produces and has
proposed that finding
the optimal factors
in obtaining the greatest
natural GH release remains
elusive. These Sprint
8 trial results indicate
that exceptionally high
amounts of exercise-induced
GH are released during
this exercise protocol,
and these elevated GH
levels show to combat
obesity. Due to the
lack of research involving
types IIA and IIB muscle
fibers coupled with
GH release during exercise,
more studies are necessary
regarding the Sprint
8. For example, studies
involving other specific
population groups, with
a primary focus on childhood
obesity; changes that
may occur in naturally
GH deficient patients;
the health-related effects
produced among participants
undertaking long-term
Sprint 8 activity; the
Sprint 8 program linked
with a diet; strength
training with naturally
elevated GH levels;
the effects to those
who have high blood
pressure and/or taking
prescribed cholesterol-lowering
medications; participants
with various hormonal
imbalances, such as
dysfunctional thyroid
glands, declining testosterone
levels, or depression;
among others.
In a quest to fight
obesity and all of these
underlying problems
within our state and
beyond, King's Daughters
Medical Center (KDMC)
has a significant interest
in exploring and utilizing
the natural production
of exercise-induced
growth hormone (GH)
in this contest. By
tracking GH blood serum
levels and corresponding
changes in body fat
percentage, BMI, and
lipid values, and other
measures as warranted,
KDMC wishes to continue
studying the health
benefits produced by
the Sprint 8 program
on these various populations.
The Sprint 8 program
is a novel approach
to potentially fighting
the obesity epidemic
and the many health
and financial problems
stemming from it. Beyond
improving patient health,
the Sprint 8 program
has the potential to
relieve the burden placed
on the health care industry
by the innumerable diseases
and disabilities derived
from obesity and hyperlipidemia.
Billions of dollars
could be saved in health
care expenses. As an
alternative to the popular
aerobic activities that
require 30 minutes of
exercise 5 days per
week to be minimally
effective and coupled
with diets that depend
on counting calories,
the Sprint 8 proves
to be time-efficient,
at 20 minutes per bout,
3 bouts per week, for
8 weeks, totaling a
mere 8 hours of exercise
per 8 weeks, and requires
no specific diet due
to the significant amounts
of GH the program yields.
Building from this trial,
as well as from future
findings, an entire
better way of life can
be found for so many,
categorized as obese
or not.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
King's
Daughters Medical Center
(KDMC) is grateful for
the participation and
endurance of the volunteers
who participated in
this study. A special
thank you is necessary
for Mr. Alvin Hoover,
CEO, KDMC, and Mr. Phil
Campbell, COO, KDMC,
for supporting the study.
Elizabeth Smith was
responsible for much
of the organization,
data collection, and
oversight of the project,
and we are gratified
with her work. Additionally,
we are thankful for
Todd Peavey, KDMC Fitness
Center Manager, and
the KDMC Fitness Center
staff who provided knowledge,
support, and encouragement
for the volunteers.
Emma Coleman, KDMC Lab
Manager, and her staff
are greatly appreciated
for performing the appropriate
blood work. Finally,
we thank all of the
physicians and other
medical staff at KDMC
for their support in
KDMC taking the initiative
to find a solution to
the obesity epidemic.
DECLARATION OF CONFLICTING
INTERESTS
The authors declare
that there is no conflict
of interest.
FUNDING
This
research received no
specific grant from
any funding agency in
the public, commercial,
or not-for-profit sectors.
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TABLES
AND GRAPHS
Graph
1. Results of the
Sprint 8 showing the
increase in GH serum
values (ng/mL) when
comparing pre-Sprint
8 trial baseline and
post-initial bout. Depicted
are the participants
collectively, the African-American
subgroup, and the Caucasian
subgroup, where GH values
increased 603%, 263%,
and 814%, respectively.
Graph
2. Results of the
Sprint 8 showing the
decrease in body fat
% when comparing pre-Sprint
8 trial baseline body
fat percentages and
and post- 8 week trial
baseline body fat percentages.
Depicted are the participants
collectively, the African-American
subgroup, and the Caucasian
subgroup, where body
fat percentages decreased
27.4%, 27.0%, and 28.0%,
respectively.
Graph
3. Results of the
Sprint 8 trial, comparing
points (mg/dL) of cholesterol,
LDL, and triglycerides,
pre-Sprint 8 (baseline)
and post-Sprint 8, among
the African-American
and Caucasian female
subgroups.
