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Int J Sports Med 2002; 23(7): 510-515
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-35073
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Cortisol, DHEA, Performance and Training in Elite Swimmers

J.-C.  Chatard1 , D.  Atlaoui1 , G.  Lac2 , M.  Duclos3 , S.  Hooper4 , L.  Mackinnon4
  • 1Laboratoire de Physiologie, GIP Exercice, Faculté de Médecine Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France
  • 2Laboratoire de la Performance Motrice, UFR STAPS, Université Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, France
  • 3Laboratoire Neurogénétique et Stress, Université Bordeaux II, France
  • 4School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: March 20, 2002

Publication Date:
28 October 2002 (online)

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Abstract

Salivary cortisol (C) and DHEA concentrations were measured in 9 elite swimmers (4 female and 5male) over a 37-week period, 5 to 12 times per swimmer, before 68 competitions. For female and male swimmers, no significant relationship was found between C, DHEA and performance. For the whole group, C was negatively correlated with week number of training (r = -0.31, p < 0.01). The incorporation of the cumulated distance swum as a second variable in the regression increased r to 0.56 (p < 0.01). The higher the cumulated distance swum, the higher C. No significant relationship was found between DHEA and distance swum. For individual swimmers, 3 of 4 females showed a significant negative relationship between C and cumulated dry-land training. No equivalent relationship was found for DHEA. The 2 males practicing dry-land training showed a significant and negative relationship between DHEA and cumulated dry-land training. No equivalent relationship was found for C. Thus, C and DHEA were not good predictors of swimming performance. C for individual females, and DHEA for individual males were considered useful markers for dry-land training stress.

Key words

Exercise - hormones - training - taper - testosterone

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Dr. J.-C. Chatard

Laboratoire de Physiologie

Pavillon 12, St-JB · 42 055 Saint-Etienne cedex 2 · France ·

Fax: +33 (477) 127229

Email: chatard@univ-st-etienne.fr