The effect of tapering period on plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and performance in elite male cyclists

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two differenttapering period lengths on the concentration of plasma interleukin-6 (il-6), interleukin (il-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(tnf-alpha) and performance in elite male cyclists. to this end,after completing 8 weeks progressive endurance exercise,twenty four high-level endurance cyclists were randomly assignedto one of two groups: a control group of cyclists (n = 12)continued performing progressive weekly training volume for 3weeks while a taper group of cyclists (n = 12) proceeded with a50% reduction in weekly training volume relative to the controlgroup. a simulated 40 min time trial (40tt) performance ridewas used as the criterion index of performance before and afterthe tapering period to evaluate the physiological and performanceeffects of each protocol. blood samples were collectedimmediately post-40tt from all participants at the beginning ofweek 1, and the end of weeks 4, 8, 9 and 11. il-1beta, il-6 andtnf alpha were assayed using a standard commercial elisa kits(quantikine; r & d systems, minneapolis, mn). the meantime to complete the 40tt in the taper group decreased significantly(p < 0.01) after both 1 and 3 weeks with reduced trainingvolume relative to the control group. there were significantreductions in (p < 0.001) il-1beta, il-6 and tnf alpha concentrationsin the taper group relative to the control group at the end of the 3week tapering period, but not at the end of the 1 week taperingperiod. these results demonstrate that both a 1 and a 3 weektaper period will result in improved physical performance intrained cyclists but only a 3 week taper period will result inattenuation of post-exercise pro-inflammatory cytokines whencompared to those continuing a more intense training regimen.