Effect of the Long Term ‘Training and Competitive’ Cycle on Urinary Protein and Creatinine in Elite Male Triathletes in Malaysia – A Pilot Study

Background: Strenuous exercise may cause DNA, skeletal muscle as well as renal damage. Triathletes experience strenuous muscular activity both during competition and training. Studies have shown changes in renal function after competition which returns to normal after few days. However, these finding have only focused on a single event. There is no literature studying the cumulative effect of “training and competition” cycles over a season of triathlon competitions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cumulative effect of “training and competition” on renal function in elite male triathletes using urine protein and creatinine.Methods: Seven male elite triathletes were recruited for the study. They were on a standardized training regimen and competed in at least one endurance event every month for the past 3-4 years. They were followed up for nine months. Urine samples were collected at the beginning (Phase 1) and at the end of the triathlon season (Phase 2). Urine protein and creatinine levels were estimated using spectrophotometric methods and compared with a Student’s t test (p<0.05 was considered significant).Results: The urine protein was 5.26 ± 3.99 mg/dl and 11.48 ± 6.87 mg/dl and urine creatinine was 11.67 ± 5.16 mmol/L and 19.09 ± 7.15 mmol/L for phase 1 and phase 2 respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in urine protein and creatinine (p<0.05) between phase 1 and phase 2.Discussion: Urine protein and creatinine are considered markers of renal function. Our results show that at the end of the “training and competition” cycle of an elite triathlete, there is two-fold increase in urinary protein and creatinine. This finding provides evidence to the cumulative effect of training and competition over a period of 9 months.