AUTHOR=Guilhem Gaël , Hanon Christine , Gendreau Nicolas , Bonneau Dominique , Guével Arnaud , Chennaoui Mounir TITLE=Salivary Hormones Response to Preparation and Pre-competitive Training of World-class Level Athletes JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology VOLUME=6 YEAR=2015 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2015.00333 DOI=10.3389/fphys.2015.00333 ISSN=1664-042X 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 (