Abstract
This study aimed to compare the response of salivary hormones of track and field athletes induced by preparation and pre-competitive training periods in an attempt to comment on the physiological effects consistent with the responses of each of the proteins measured. Salivary testosterone, cortisol, alpha-amylase, immunoglobulin A (IgA), chromogranin A, blood creatine kinase activity, and profile of mood state were assessed at rest in 24 world-class level athletes during preparation (3 times in 3 months) and pre-competitive (5 times in 5 weeks) training periods. Total mood disturbance and fatigue perception were reduced, while IgA (+61%) and creatine kinase activity (+43%) increased, and chromogranin A decreased (−27%) during pre-competitive compared to preparation period. A significant increase in salivary testosterone (+9 to +15%) and a decrease in testosterone/cortisol ratio were associated with a progressive reduction in training load during pre-competitive period (P < 0.05). None of the psycho-physiological parameters were significantly correlated to training load during the pre-competitive period. Results showed a lower adrenocortical response and autonomic activity, and an improvement of immunity status, in response to the reduction in training load and fatigue, without significant correlations of salivary hormones with training load. Our findings suggest that saliva composition is sensitive to training contents (season period) but could not be related to workload resulting from track and field athletics training.
Highlights
During the last few decades, the exponential increase in international competition has progressively led the top-level athletes to extend the time spent to train in order to enhance their performance
Tension—anxiety, depression, anger and confusion— bewilderment scores significantly decreased from preparation period of months (PREP) to competitive period (COMP) (P < 0.05), whereas vigor—activity (P = 0.4) and fatigue (P = 0.07) were not affected between both training periods As a result, total mood disturbance was significantly decreased when competitions approached, in comparison to the PREP (Table 1)
The diminution of the psychological component of fatigue and training load during the pre-competitive period was not accompanied by significant variations in testosterone and cortisol responses
Summary
During the last few decades, the exponential increase in international competition has progressively led the top-level athletes to extend the time spent to train in order to enhance their performance. Successful training must involve such high training load phases (i.e., increased volume and intensity), it must avoid the combination of excessive overload and inadequate recovery (Meeusen et al, 2006). In a monitoring training study, Foster (1998) noted a correspondence between excessive training load and injury and illness occurrence, thereby highlighting the interest of methods for the identification of non-functional overreaching development in elite athletes. Multivariate approaches have shown promising results (Le Meur et al, 2013), but have to be validated in the natural context of training and may have limited practicality when used in field conditions of high-level training
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