The Effects Of Training Load On Salivary Amylase, Testosterone And Performance In Collegiate Runners

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of training load on salivary amylase and testosterone levels and their association with race performance in Female Division I cross- country athletes. METHODS: 18 female athletes (18.9 ± 0.86 yrs old) were monitored during the 2015 cross-country season. VO2 max, and baseline salivary amylase and testosterone levels were assessed during the pre-season. Participants also underwent tri-weekly data collection sessions in which saliva samples were collected. Salivary levels of amylase and testosterone were analyzed using ELISA kits from Salimetrics (State College, PA) according to the manufacturers instructions. Athletes utilized a GPS/HR monitor system daily during practice sessions to record training load. Training load was calculated using the Running Training Stress Score (rTSS) according to a commercial website (www.TrainingPeaks.com). Race performance was also monitored during the season. Linear mixed models were used to analyze the effect of cumulative training load on amylase and testosterone levels and race performance during the season. RESULTS: There were no significant effects of training load on salivary amylase levels however, training load was a significant predictor of weekly salivary testosterone levels (p=0.009). Athletes, who had a high weekly training load, expressed lower levels of testosterone for that week. While controlling for race distance and baseline VO2 max, both salivary amylase and testosterone were predictive of race performance. Athletes who expressed higher than normal salivary amylase levels for a particular week, showed a decline in performance (p=0.006). However, the higher the weekly salivary testosterone level, the better the athletes performed (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: In this study, higher levels of weekly salivary testosterone were associated with optimal training and improved race performance. While higher levels of salivary amylase, were associated with a decline in race performance. Periodic measurements of salivary amylase and testosterone could be an important diagnostic marker for monitoring overtraining and predicting performance in collegiate athletes. Funding was provided by the School of Health Science Faculty Grant.