Impact Of Physical Training Upon Thyroid Stimulating Hormones

Abstract

Background: The thyroid hormone is well known for controlling metabolism, growth, and many other bodily functions. The thyroid gland, anterior pituitary gland, and hypothalamus comprise a self-regulatory circuit called the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. The present study aimed to investigate the impact physical training (PT) on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels among young adults.

Methods: An experimental research design was employed. Participants were recruited from the Department of Sports Sciences & Physical Education, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Participants were divided into two groups: the control group (CG) and experimental group (EG), each comprising ten subjects. The EG followed a structured PT protocol developed by (Brioschi et al. (2021). Five milliliters of blood were drawn via venipuncture, labeled with identification codes, and analyzed at Infinity Health Care Laboratory (Reg. No. R-72613). Pre and post intervention data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (paired and independent t-tests) in SPSS version 32.

Results: Descriptive analysis demonstrated demographic homogeneity between groups at baseline. CG exhibited higher baseline TSH levels and variability, while EG showed lower, stable values. Post-intervention, both groups experienced reductions in TSH, but paired t-tests indicated a statistically significant decrease only in EG (p = 0.0179). CG showed a larger raw mean decrease (–1.75) that did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.077).

Conclusion: Physical training produced a significant reduction in TSH levels, suggesting positive effects on thyroid regulation. Incorporating structured PT into wellness programs may enhance thyroid function and overall hormonal balance.