Journal article 1142 views 379 downloads
Can salivary testosterone and cortisol reactivity to a mid-week stress test discriminate a match outcome during international rugby union competition?
Blair T. Crewther,
Neil Potts,
Liam Kilduff 
,
Scott Drawer,
Christian J. Cook
,
Scott Drawer,
Christian J. Cook
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Swansea University Author:
Liam Kilduff
-
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.jsams.2017.05.021
Abstract
ObjectivesEvidence suggests that stress-induced changes in testosterone and cortisol are related to future competitive behaviours and team-sport outcomes. Therefore, we examined whether salivary testosterone and cortisol reactivity to a mid-week stress test can discriminate a match outcome in intern...
| Published in: | Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport |
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| ISSN: | 14402440 |
| Published: |
2017
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33933 |
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| Abstract: |
ObjectivesEvidence suggests that stress-induced changes in testosterone and cortisol are related to future competitive behaviours and team-sport outcomes. Therefore, we examined whether salivary testosterone and cortisol reactivity to a mid-week stress test can discriminate a match outcome in international rugby union competition.DesignSingle group, quasi-experimental design with repeated measures.MethodThirty-three male rugby players completed a standardised stress test three or four days before seven international matches. Stress testing involved seven minutes of shuttle runs (2 × 20 m), dispersed across one-minute stages with increasing speeds. Salivary testosterone and cortisol were measured in the morning, along with delta changes from morning to pre-test (Morn-PreΔ) and pre-test to post-test (Pre-PostΔ). Data were compared across wins (n = 3) and losses (n = 4).ResultsThe Morn-PreΔ in cortisol increased before winning and decreased prior to losing (p < 0.001), with a large effect size difference (d = 1.6, 90% CI 1.3-1.9). Testosterone decreased significantly across the same period, irrespective of the match outcome. The Morn-PreΔ in testosterone and cortisol, plus the Pre-PostΔ in testosterone, all predicted a match outcome (p ≤ 0.01). The final model showed good diagnostic accuracy (72%) with cortisol as the main contributor.ConclusionsThe salivary testosterone and cortisol responses to mid-week testing showed an ability to discriminate a rugby match outcome over a limited number of games. The Morn-PreΔ in cortisol was the strongest diagnostic biomarker. This model may provide a unique format to assess team readiness or recovery between competitions, especially with the emergence of rapid hormonal testing. |
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| Keywords: |
Sport; Behaviour; Readiness; Training; Neuroendocrine |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |