Salivary Testosterone and Cortisol Responses to Cycle Ergometry in Basketball Players with Different Training Volume

Abstract

Abstract This study analyzes the degree to which different amounts of training during a 4-month period affects salivary testosterone (Tsal), salivary cortisol (Csal) responses, and changes in the salivary testosterone/cortisol ratio (Tsal/Csal ratio) following acute physical effort. Two professional basketball teams with similar fitness levels carried out a maximal cycle ergometry at the beginning and in the middle of the sports season. In both sessions, saliva samples were collected to determine Tsal and Csal, and mood was assessed. Training was registered daily, total training volume being almost two-fold higher in Team 1 than in Team 2. No significant differences between the teams in anthropometric characteristics, mood, or cycle ergometer performance were found. The Tsal/Csal ratio response to ergometry decreased after training in Team 1 and increased in Team 2, whereas Tsal response did not change significantly and the Csal response to ergometry increased in Team 1 and decreased in Team 2. Results obtained are modulated by initial differences in the Csal values at baseline, with Team 1 showing higher levels than Team 2. In addition, the training volume applied was associated with the changes in the Csal and Tsal/Csal ratio responses to a maximal physical exercise in professional basketball players.