Variations in salivary testosterone, cortisol, and DHEA levels in professional rugby union players during the preseason training period

Abstract

Excessive training and inadequate recovery can lead to states of overtraining and performance decrements. The anabolic-catabolic balance by testosterone, cortisol and DHEA-S resulted a useful endogenous indicator to evaluate and monitor the athlete’s training state and the effectiveness of the training program [1]. In this study sixteen professional rugby players provided saliva samples during the official preseason training period. Hormone saliva levels were determined by immunoenzymatic assay (Grifols, Italy). The results showed that both cortisol levels and DHEA-S to cortisol ratio levels significantly decreased during the initial reduced training sub-period according to the goal of the training program. Furthermore the testosterone to cortisol ratio levels significantly increased during the initial sub-period as weel as during the organic muscle conditioning period and after a 2-day recovery time following the conditioning period. Testosterone levels were positively correlated with the Gacon physical test and the maximum cardiac frequence during the initial reduced training sub-period. No correlation was observed between hormone levels and genotype. However ACE genotypes (I/D polymorphism) statistically correlated with the different morphotype related to the rugby player position. Our data shows that cortisol and testosterone to cortisol ratio levels can be considered useful tools to evaluate the athlete’s physical stress during the training program. According to data available in literature the morphotype related to the rugby player position is deeply affected by the ACE gene polymorphism.