Testosterone-cortisol Ratio Research Articles

Stress Levels and Hormonal Coupling and Their Relationship with Sports Performance in an Elite Women’s Volleyball Team

The testosterone–cortisol ratio is a concept in human biology that refers to the balance between testosterone, the main anabolic steroid, and cortisol, another steroid hormone. The two hormones are said to be habitually positively “coupled”. Increases or decreases in testosterone tend to be associated with corresponding increases or decreases in cortisol, and vice versa. The present study explored hormone coupling and its relationship to stress levels in the sport performances of an elite women’s volleyball team. (1) Aim: to assess the testosterone–cortisol concentration dynamic over 16 weeks and its link to sport performance in elite female volleyball players (height: 1.8 ± 0.1 m; 24.2 ± 2.7 years; playing experience 15 ± 2.8 years; years played at elite level 4.2 ± 2.2; testosterone–cortisol index time 1: 3.9 vs. time 2: 4.3) (n = 11). (2) Methods: blood samples (hormones among other biochemical parameters) and sports performance measurements (aerobic and anaerobic power among other tests) were taken from members of an elite women’s volleyball team over 16 weeks of competition. (3) Results: female volleyball players showed patterns of hormonal change and adaptation to stress. (4) Conclusions: the current investigation demonstrated that elite female volleyball players have higher basal levels of testosterone and cortisol than normal healthy women. The impact of training and competition is clearly reflected in the levels of T. Cortisol levels increase at the beginning of training and remain elevated throughout the season, but without significant changes.

A Machine Learning Assisted Study Exploring Hormonal Influences on Entrepreneurial Opportunity Behaviour

The study explores the hormonal influences on entrepreneurial opportunity persuasion decisions (OPD). It also analyzes how behavioural psychology influences the entrepreneurial opportunity recognition-refinement process (OPRR). The machine learning and structural equation modelling analyses of the data from 271 Indian entrepreneurs support the hypotheses of a direct effect of the physiological biomarker—Testosterone-Cortisol Ratio (TCR) and behavioural marker—communities of inquiry (COI) on OPD. Further, partial mediation indicated an indirect positive effect of COI on OPD, with OPRR moderating this relationship. Shedding new light on the enigmatic entrepreneurial opportunity behaviour from a biological and behavioural perspective improves the causal inference of external and socially-influenced COI and internally-triggered TCR. Finally, theoretical and methodological contributions are discussed along with implications that can guide future research on entrepreneurial opportunity behaviours.

Oxytocin moderates the association between testosterone-cortisol ratio and trustworthiness: A randomized placebo-controlled study

Oxytocin has been proposed to enhance feelings of trust, however, these findings have been difficult to replicate. Environmental or hormonal factors might influence this association. We studied whether oxytocin moderates the association between the testosterone-cortisol ratio, which is associated with risk taking behavior and aggression, and trustworthiness, while controlling for the general level of trust. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study with 53 healthy males was performed in which 32IU oxytocin (n = 27) or placebo (n = 26) was administered intranasally. Participants subsequently played the Trust Game in which they were allocated to the role of trustee. In the third phase of the Trust Game, we found a positive association between the testosterone-cortisol-ratio and the proportion of the amount that is returned to the investor (P=<0.01). However, administration of oxytocin reduced reciprocity in those with a high testosterone-cortisol ratio after reciprocity restoration (a significant interaction effect between administration of oxytocin and the testosterone-cortisol ratio in the third phase of the Trust Game, P = 0.015). The third phase of the Trust Game represents the restoration of reciprocity and trustworthiness, after this is violated in the second phase. Therefore, our data suggest that oxytocin might hinder the restoration of trustworthiness and diminish risk-taking behavior when trust is violated, especially in those who are hormonally prone to risk-taking behavior by a high testosterone-cortisol ratio.

Negative media portrayals of immigrants increase ingroup favoritism and hostile physiological and emotional reactions

Anti-immigration rhetoric in the mass media has intensified over the last two decades, potentially decreasing prosocial behavior and increasing outgroup hostility toward immigrants, and fostering ingroup favoritism toward natives. We aim to understand the effects of negative and positive discourses about immigration on prosociality at different levels of societal ethnic diversity. In two studies (student sample, nationally representative sample), we conduct a survey and a 3X3 between-subject experiment, including money-incentivized behavioral games measuring prosociality. We manipulate media representations of immigrants and the probability of interacting with immigrants (the latter measuring diversity). Results show that negative news affects prosociality as a function of the probability of interacting with immigrants. Negative portrayals increase altruism and trustworthiness in ethnically homogenous settings relative to unknown and ethnically-mixed contexts. These results are stronger for right-wing and high-prejudice respondents. Moreover, negative media portrayals of immigrants increase the testosterone-cortisol ratio, which is a proxy for proneness to social aggression. Negative news also increases outgroup-related perceived health risk, outgroup anxiety and outgroup threat less in ethnically-homogeneous contexts. Overall, negative portrayals of immigrants generate physiological and emotional hostility toward the outgroup, and ingroup favoritism in economic transactions, possibly determining efficiency losses in ethnically-diverse markets, relative to ethnically-homogeneous markets.

Does stress affect nonverbal engagement in teams? A case study in professional team sport

Purpose Team effectiveness is often predicated by a group’s ability to communicate. However, the effect of stress response on communication success, particularly nonverbal engagement, and how this might affect team performance, is not clear; a “phenomenon” this study sought to explore. Design/methodology/approach This was an observational study in a cohort of professional rugby players. Participants gave presentations to their peers on two separate occasions during a “live-in” camp designed to have psychologically stressful elements. Presentations were video recorded and audience engagement was measured. Testosterone and cortisol were used as biomarkers of stress response, with a high testosterone–cortisol ratio considered positive. A team training session followed the presentations and participants were rated for training quality. Findings A small decline in testosterone was observed each day after waking. Conversely, cortisol rose after waking, with the rise being the highest on the first day. A decline in testosterone–cortisol ratio was also seen each day after waking; the decline was greatest on the first day. Presentation duration and audience engagement was greatest for the second presentation; when the testosterone-cortisol ratio decline and the cortisol increase after waking was smaller. Training quality was also better that day. Pooled data revealed a moderate inverse relationship and weak positive relationships for audience engagement with post-meeting cortisol and post-meeting testosterone–cortisol ratio, respectively. Training quality was related to testosterone and testosterone–cortisol ratio, but inversely related to cortisol. Originality/value This study suggests that in stressful conditions, as suggested by an awakening hormone response, communication and team performance could become compromised with reduced ability to engage with others.

C-Reactive Protein Serum Levels as an Internal Load Indicator of Sprints in Competitive Football Matches.

This study compared internal load variable dynamics across three consecutive football matches and investigated its relationship with the number of sprints performed by players. Twenty-three male players had blood and salivary samples collected for hormonal concentration (testosterone, cortisol, and testosterone-cortisol ratio), and serum analysis (interleukin-6, interleukin-1-beta, and c-reactive-protein), respectively. Sprints were measured through Global Position System devices. Testosterone and testosterone-cortisol-ratio presented a decreasing behavior up to the second match, and all other indicators presented an increasing behavior during the same period, c-reactive-protein was the only indicator observed to significantly rise up to the third match as well (0.38±0.02 mg/L; 0.49±0.05 mg/L; 0.69±0.05 mg/L; 0.89±0.08 mg/L). C-reactive-protein showed strong correlations with sprints in the second and third matches (p<0.01, r=0.71 and 0.79), and weak-to-moderate in the first one (p<0.05, r=0.59). Interleukin-6 and interleukin-1-beta presented weak-to-moderate correlation in every match (p<0.05, r=0.48 to 0.51; r=0.51 to 0.55) while testosterone-cortisol ratio presented weak-to-moderate correlation only in the third one (p<0.05, r=0.42). Multilevel linear regression showed that c-reactive-protein had a higher R2 than other biomarker in any regression model (R2=0.624; p<0.001). Therefore, c-reactive-protein can be a valid and reliable indicator of sprinting in competitive football. Future research should explore longer periods of monitoring and/or others external load variables so that other behaviors may arise to knowledge.

Cytokine, physiological, technical–tactical and time structure responses in simulated judo competition

ABSTRACTThis study investigated physiological modulation on metabolic and inflammatory parameters, the technical–tactical and time structure variables, across a simulated judo competition. Ten judokas were submitted to a simulated competition (four matches), with blood collection in time zero, after each match, and 30 and 60 min post the fourth match. Before each match the rating of perceived recovery (RPR) and after each match the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate (HR) were collected; lactate concentration before and after each match was collected. There was no difference across matches for RPR, RPE, HR, technical–tactical, time structure, interleukin (IL)-10, MCP-1, TNF-α, cortisol, testosterone and testosterone–cortisol ratio. Higher lactate was found post-match compared to prematch. Moreover, lactate was higher pre-third than the pre-first match, and post-second than post-third and fourth matches. Glucose was higher post-second match compared to prematches and 30-min post-fourth match; IL-6 was higher post-third, post-fourth and post-30 and 60-min fourth match than prematches and also higher post-first match compared to post-third and 60-min post-fourth match. Thus, alterations observed in glucose, lactate and IL-6 judo competition seem to be related to metabolism regulation to maintain the technical–tactical actions across the matches.

Sperm DNA fragmentation as a result of ultra-endurance exercise training in male athletes.

Intensive sports practice seems to exert negative effects on semen parameters; in order to assess these effects, the objective of this study was to assess semen, including DNA fragmentation, and hormone parameters in elite triathletes. Twelve high-level triathletes preparing for a National Triathlon Championship participated in the study. The qualitative sperm parameters analysed were volume, sperm count, motility, morphology and DNA fragmentation; when needed, additional testing was performed. Assessed hormones were testosterone (T), cortisol (C) and testosterone-cortisol ratio (T/C). Maximum oxygen consumption and training characteristics were also assessed. Hormonal values and physical semen parameters were within normal ranges. DNA fragmentation showed high values (20.4±6.1%). Round cells in semen were higher than normal (2.8±1.5 million/ml), with the presence of macrophages. Correlations were found for several parameters: concentration of round cells positively correlated with progressive sperm motility (p=.01) and sperm morphology (p=.02); contrarily, the correlation found with DNA fragmentation was negative (p=.04). Sperm DNA fragmentation and the T/C ratio, however, were correlated in a positive manner (p=.03). As evidenced by the observed results, sperm DNA fragmentation is affected by high-level sports practice; therefore, high loads of endurance training could potentially interfere with the athlete's fertility potential.

Monitoring internal training load and salivary immune-endocrine responses during an annual judo training periodization.

The objective of this study was to examine the internal training load (TL), IgA, and salivary steroid hormone responses in elite youth judo athletes during an entire annual training periodization. Ten male judo athletes (18±2 years, 72.3±12.3 kg, and 175±6 cm) competing at a state/national level were examined for the TL and salivary imune-endocrine responses variations over an annual judo season, divided in three macrocyles composed by distinct periods denominated preparatory period (PP), competitive period (CP) and transition period (TP). At the end of PP and CP, saliva samples were collected to determine cortisol, testosterone and IgA concentrations. Throughout PP and CP the session-rating of perceived exertion and the total duration of each session were monitored, allowing the internal TL and weekly training strain (TS) calculation. During all macrocycles, significant decreases in TL and TS were observed during CP compared with PP (P<0.05), although no significant differences were observed for immune-endocrine concentrations between PP and CP (P>0.05). Specific variations were observed comparing periods with similar characteristics throughout the macrocycles as higher TL and TS (PP1 to PP2 and PP3, P<0.05), increased testosterone (CP1 to CP3, P=0.024) and decreased testosterone-cortisol ratio (PP1 to PP2, P=0.005). The present findings suggest that the internal TL variations over an annual multipeak traditional periodization did not influence the resting mucosal immune-endocrinal responses in young judo athletes.

High-Intensity Intermittent Training Positively Affects Aerobic and Anaerobic Performance in Judo Athletes Independently of Exercise Mode.

Purpose: The present study investigated the effects of high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) on lower- and upper-body graded exercise and high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE, four Wingate bouts) performance, and on physiological and muscle damage markers responses in judo athletes.Methods: Thirty-five subjects were randomly allocated to a control group (n = 8) or to one of the following HIIT groups (n = 9 for each) and tested pre- and post-four weeks (2 training d·wk−1): (1) lower-body cycle-ergometer; (2) upper-body cycle-ergometer; (3) uchi-komi (judo technique entrance). All HIIT were constituted by two blocks of 10 sets of 20 s of all out effort interspersed by 10 s set intervals and 5-min between blocks.Results: For the upper-body group there was an increase in maximal aerobic power in graded upper-body exercise test (12.3%). The lower-body group increased power at onset blood lactate in graded upper-body exercise test (22.1%). The uchi-komi group increased peak power in upper- (16.7%) and lower-body (8.5%), while the lower-body group increased lower-body mean power (14.2%) during the HIIE. There was a decrease in the delta blood lactate for the uchi-komi training group and in the third and fourth bouts for the upper-body training group. Training induced testosterone-cortisol ratio increased in the lower-body HIIE for the lower-body (14.9%) and uchi-komi (61.4%) training groups.Conclusion: Thus, short-duration low-volume HIIT added to regular judo training was able to increase upper-body aerobic power, lower- and upper-body HIIE performance.

Changes in cell free DNA during a college soccer season

Objectives: This study investigated chronic changes in cell free DNA (cf-DNA) throughout a collegiate soccer season. The relationship between cf-DNA, C-reactive protein (CRP), creatine kinase (CK), testosterone (T), cortisol (C), testosterone-cortisol ratio (T:C), body mass and body composition were also examined. Design: Longitudinal study design with repeated measures and group comparisons. Methods: Twenty three NCAA Division I male soccer players were divided into two groups. Starters were placed in Group 1 (G1) and non-starters were placed in Group 2 (G2). cf-DNA, CRP, CK, T, C, T:C, body mass and body composition were taken three times, corresponding to pre-season, approximately mid-season and immediately after the concluding the season. Results: In G1, cf-DNA, CRP, CK, cf-DNA %∆, CRP %∆ and, CK %∆ were all statistically higher at T2 and T3 than T1. In G2, CRP %∆ was statistically higher at T2 than T1. In G2, cf-DNA %∆, CRP %∆ and CK %∆ were higher at T2 and T3 than T1. Conclusions: This suggests that cf-DNA may be a useful marker that can reflect accumulated soccer training and competitive stressors. (Journal of Trainology 2015;4:25-31)

The testosterone–cortisol ratio: A hormonal marker for proneness to social aggression

Social aggression is an escalating hazard for individuals and society. It is most frequently observed as impulsive–reactive aggression in antisocial personality disorder (APD), but in psychopathic aggressive personalities instrumental social aggression is more prominent. However, the psychobiological mechanisms underlying human social aggression are still poorly understood. Here we propose a psychobiological mechanism that may explain human social aggression wherein the steroid hormones cortisol and testosterone play a critical role. High levels of testosterone and low levels of cortisol have been associated with social aggression in several species but it seems that in those individuals wherein these hormonal markers combine social aggression is most violent. In this review we discuss fundamental and clinical research which underscores the potential of the testosterone–cortisol ratio as a possible marker for criminal aggressive tendencies.

Effects of Training Volume on Hormones and Mood in Basketball Players

Mood and basal hormone levels were measured before and after a 4-month training period in 20 professional basketball players on 2 different teams. Training volume was daily quantified by intensities, showing that Team 1 trained nearly twofold the volume of Team 2. Apart from the lack of differences between teams in anthropometric and physical variables, results showed mood improvements in the total sample without differences between teams. However, cortisol levels decreased in Team 1 and increased in Team 2, while the free testosterone–cortisol ratio, free testosterone, prolactin, and luteinizing hormone did not show significant changes. Changes in cortisol were positively related to depression and negatively related to training volume. Results suggest that differences exist in sensitivity and/or timing of both psychological and hormonal responses to 2 given volumes of training.