Association of the hormonal status parameters with the results of the cardiorespiratory exertion test in athletes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the specifics of the endocrine system functioning in males professionally involved in sports. We have observed 70 sportsmen and 70 students of the Maritime Academy. The check-up included the following procedures: the ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland, assessment of the hormonal status (measuring concentrations of prolactin, cortisol, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxin, antibodies to thyroid peroxidase in the blood serum), complete blood count (assessment of the hemoglobin level), assessment of microelements in the blood serum (calcium and magnesium levels). The study has established that athletes have significantly higher concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone and lower concentrations of cortisol and free thyroxin, as compared to people not involved in sports. A positive correlation between the levels of cortisol, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxin and prolactin in the blood serum has been found in athletes. The high levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and relatively low values of cortisol may be considered as indicators of a better athlete’s performance and a reflection of the optimal adaptation of the pituitary-thyroid and pituitary-adrenal systems to systematic high physical loads.